Shreya Singh, a 3rd-year student from Deshbandhu College who won the post of Secretary as an independent candidate, promises to protect students through a WhatsApp community group intended to provide a safety net. The response is mixed.
Shreya Singh, an independent candidate from Deshbandhu College, has launched a WhatsApp community group called Raksha. A message shared with students by her describes this initiative as an effort to ensure safety and help them focus on “their growth and dreams”. The group includes 229 students for immediate reporting, either to a nearby police station or to a safe location.
This offers a somewhat evasive promise of protection amid rising student crimes. In a campaign video, Singh acknowledged the safety risks faced by students, many of whom commute through unsafe streets. The group is new and has yet to receive a report. For many students, the initiative appears promising. Still, some remain wary: “I am unsure how this will be an exclusive space for safety. How will the admin vet people entering the group?” one said.
At the end of the day, the makers will have to weigh in the factor of protected identity to actualize the suraksha/protection through raksha.
Image caption: A social experiment of community-bound protection.
Credit: Anonymous
Kinjal Sharma
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