DU students stand up for Dana Sangma
By Ruchi Shrimali
21 years old Dana Sangma, the niece of Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangama, allegedly committed suicide in her hostel room on April 24, after an invigilator claimed to catch her cheating in the exam. It was alleged that Dana was using her mobile phone. The invigilator is said to have used abusive language, threatened to finish her career, and tore her answer sheet.
Amity University, where Dana was studying, denies any inappropriate behavior on the invigilator's part. The police said that her answer sheet is intact and is in its possession. Students, however, claim that the university is trying to hush-up the case.
Over 40 DU students, including the CM's daughter and members of National Student Union of India (NSUI), held a candlelight vigil in protest over Dana's suicide outside the Amity University at Pachgaon village near Manesar, Gurgaon. Read more
The Chief Minister had earlier accused the university authorities of discriminating against students from the Northeast. Students also claim that the university authorities tried to force Dana to fill up a form which amounted to a forced confession. As a result, she hanged herself from the ceiling fan of her hostel room, using her ‘dupatta'.
A case has already been lodged against the authorities under Section 306 of the IPC, which pertains to the ‘abetment to suicide'. According to DCP Gurgoan, the clauses of the SC/ST Act were also applicable in this case. See details
The north-eastern community in Bangalore and New Delhi has reacted strongly to Dana's death who was from Meghalaya as well as the death of Richard Loitam who was from Manipur. Loitam was allegedly murdered by two students in a scuffle. The campaigners are holding demonstrations over the past week and claim the students of Northeast face racial discrimination in colleges and are treated unfairly by police and authorities. More about campaigns
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