Pune: Savitribai Phule Pune University has recently been under scrutiny for several negative incidents, including the discovery of marijuana in male hostels and the illegal sale of tobacco products on campus. Now, another serious issue has come to light involving the consumption of alcohol and smoking in the university’s girls’ hostel, sparking widespread concern.
Photos went viral showing bottles of alcohol and hundreds of cigarette packs found in one of the rooms in the girls’ hostel. A female student, who had repeatedly complained about the issue, reported that her concerns were ignored, and instead, she faced verbal abuse and derogatory comments about her appearance. As a result, the student began fearing possible ragging.
In a written complaint to the university’s Vice-Chancellor, the student mentioned that four other female students were drinking alcohol and smoking in their room. Despite raising the issue multiple times with the hostel administration, no action was taken. The student also questioned why the administration failed to act even after two large bags of alcohol bottles were seized.
The complainant, who suffers from migraines due to cigarette smoke, had sought treatment at the university’s health center for the past few months. She stated that despite her repeated complaints, the four students involved in drinking and smoking verbally abused and threatened her. They also made derogatory comments about her appearance. Despite several meetings on the matter, no action was taken, raising concerns about the administration’s inaction.
The complainant revealed that the four students had been consuming alcohol in their room for the past year. She admitted that she had hesitated to report the issue earlier out of fear of being physically assaulted by the intoxicated students. Moreover, the students allegedly pressured her to hold a glass of alcohol and threatened to make a video and go viral. Despite multiple meetings on the issue, no action was taken, and the complainant also faced pressure to withdraw her complaint.
The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has demanded a thorough investigation into how these intoxicating items were brought into the hostel despite the presence of biometric systems at the entrance. They questioned whether staff members were involved in providing these items to the students.
The ABVP also called for action against those who pressured the complainant to withdraw her complaint. Additionally, the Parishad raised concerns about a male professor who was reportedly found in the women’s hostel without permission.
