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LSR and the Third Eye of CCTV

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The second General Body Meeting (GBM) of Lady Shri Ram College (LSR) held on 26th August 2019, was centred around the college’s decision of installing CCTV cameras on the college campus. Mixed opinions surfaced as the event unfolded.

LSR witnessed the second GBM for the current academic session on 26th August 2019. After receiving great response from students as witnessed in the first GBM which discussed the change in the syllabus and its effects, the second GBM revolved around the recent step of the authorities to “put CCTV cameras in a huge number inside the college spaces”.

The discussion, initiated by the Students’ Union, put into light the issue of installation of CCTV cameras. As the meeting progressed, an enlarged spectrum of opinions was put forth. Two majorly conflicting opinions emerged as we asked the students about their take on the issue.

The first side brings into light the positive aspects which would follow if the college takes the step. This argument was supported as the students talked about the enhanced security and supervision in and around the college. It was further added that the CCTV cameras would reduce underlying violations and, in a way, would establish
transparency. Cameras would also serve as good sources of evidence collection in case of an incident or mishap of a severe turn.

A student who did not wish to be named said, “My first day of college did not turn out to be a delight as I wasn’t informed about the infamous back gate. I do not wish to say what happened but harassment does lurk around the back gate area. I would definitely feel safer if cameras are installed and hence, I support the move.”
Another student from LSR, Arpita, pursuing English Literature, said, “I would say somewhere or the other, students would be agreeing to it, (my remark is) not a direct attack on the facilities of the college, but the hype created for CCTVs is not worth it.” She further added, “Cameras can be used in a strategic manner to take into account the security of the students as well as the faculty, keeping in mind that right to privacy is not curtailed.”

On the other hand, some students did not support the decision of installation as they considered it as an invasion of privacy and not a very viable way of allocating the funds. Royina Chhabra, a first-year student says, “It is quite absurd that the college is concerned more about installing CCTV cameras inside the campus, whereas we all know the back gate is the place which needs more security measures and especially placement of police vans. CCTV cameras are something very secondary and not the need as of now. We have other things to focus on like sports equipment, more chairs, and better infrastructure.”

While we also see a leeway as some students suggest that the installation should be at places which are ‘strategically sound locations’, meaning the locations which walk along the demarcation of privacy and security. “In this way, funds can meet both ends, the near to death, panting fans, and the security concerns, both can be resolved hand in hand,” says a student who wished to remain anonymous.

DU Beat tried reaching out to the Students’ Union and the authorities, but received no response as they state that “matters are underway”. As the GBM progressed, a clear outcome could not be induced. Rather, it was put forth that the upcoming GBM would again draw light upon this very issue. It was further added that a petition or form would be circulated to the students to take into account their mandate. A concrete answer to the question of the conformity of installation of CCTV cameras and its judiciousness remains unanswered.

Feature Image Credits: Lady Shri Ram College Website

Priyanshi Banerjee

[email protected]

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Alumnus of Stephen’s Flashes Middle Finger, gets a Display on Website

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In what comes across as an extremely astonishing episode, the website of St. Stephen’s College has on display some rather unusual content. Apparently, a link on the website titled ‘Sacrilege on St Stephen’s College’ has a footage which captures an alumnus of the College flashing the middle finger towards the CCTV camera.

Reportedly, on October 13, Saturday, a group of six alumni, led by Amitabh Pande and Ashish Munna Joshi, came to the College to donate money to the owners of the Rohtas dhaba, recently barred from selling rolls. While strolling on the premises, Pande, in full view of the students, flashed the middle finger towards the CCTV camera installed in the corridor of the Dining Hall.

While Pande, an IAS officer, claimed that the gesture was a sign of protest against the existing culture of terror and that he was shocked to note the presence of CCTV camera outside the Dining Hall, the College Principal Dr. Valson Thampu perceives it as an insult directed towards the institution.

In fact, a note by him accompanying the footage said, “It is a spectacle too disgusting for the eyes of anyone who feels for the College. Even so, after mature reflection, I have decided to post it on the College website, so that all of us can reckon the execrable extent to which some have sunk in their inveterate hatred to the College.”

While talking to DU Beat, Tarinee Awasthi, student of the College, said, “ I think that while the form may have been a tad immature, the issues the alumni were protesting against are somewhat justified. I fail to comprehend the need for CCTV cameras in the College. In fact, it translates into a prison-like surveillance and insistence on unthinking discipline.”

She further added, “By following this sort of practice, it is being assumed that all students are delinquents and must be monitored. Honestly, it is a little offending to be treated as such.”

Another student, who didn’t wish to be named, said, “Even though the causes of protest were valid, they shouldn’t have stooped down to such a level. By doing something like this, you are indirectly posing a question on the values you have imbued from the institution. There are more learned ways to voice one’s opinion. A quintessential Stephanian will never sink to this level. It’s utter shame and nothing else.”


Here’s the link to the video: http://www.ststephens.edu/SACRILEGE.htm

 

Vatsal Verma
[email protected]

Image credits: Additi Seth 

 

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Campus Central

Alumnus of Stephen's Flashes Middle Finger, gets a Display on Website

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In what comes across as an extremely astonishing episode, the website of St. Stephen’s College has on display some rather unusual content. Apparently, a link on the website titled ‘Sacrilege on St Stephen’s College’ has a footage which captures an alumnus of the College flashing the middle finger towards the CCTV camera. Reportedly, on October 13, Saturday, a group of six alumni, led by Amitabh Pande and Ashish Munna Joshi, came to the College to donate money to the owners of the Rohtas dhaba, recently barred from selling rolls. While strolling on the premises, Pande, in full view of the students, flashed the middle finger towards the CCTV camera installed in the corridor of the Dining Hall. While Pande, an IAS officer, claimed that the gesture was a sign of protest against the existing culture of terror and that he was shocked to note the presence of CCTV camera outside the Dining Hall, the College Principal Dr. Valson Thampu perceives it as an insult directed towards the institution. In fact, a note by him accompanying the footage said, “It is a spectacle too disgusting for the eyes of anyone who feels for the College. Even so, after mature reflection, I have decided to post it on the College website, so that all of us can reckon the execrable extent to which some have sunk in their inveterate hatred to the College.” While talking to DU Beat, Tarinee Awasthi, student of the College, said, “ I think that while the form may have been a tad immature, the issues the alumni were protesting against are somewhat justified. I fail to comprehend the need for CCTV cameras in the College. In fact, it translates into a prison-like surveillance and insistence on unthinking discipline.” She further added, “By following this sort of practice, it is being assumed that all students are delinquents and must be monitored. Honestly, it is a little offending to be treated as such.” Another student, who didn’t wish to be named, said, “Even though the causes of protest were valid, they shouldn’t have stooped down to such a level. By doing something like this, you are indirectly posing a question on the values you have imbued from the institution. There are more learned ways to voice one’s opinion. A quintessential Stephanian will never sink to this level. It’s utter shame and nothing else.” Here’s the link to the video: http://www.ststephens.edu/SACRILEGE.htm   Vatsal Verma [email protected] Image credits: Additi Seth   ]]>

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Big Brother is watching you

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By Mehroo Batra

The start of the new season will also mark the beginning of Delhi University coming under the secure lens of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras. These cameras will be installed in and around the campus. After repeated demands of teachers and student organisations, Delhi Police has decided to put up forty six CCTVs on the North Campus by the end of this month.

The police hope to install around sixteen zooming cameras and thirty fixed ones by June 15th. The cameras will be installed at strategic locations such as the college gates, the dean of students’ welfare and vice-chancellor’s offices and nearby areas that have concentrated PG accommodations such as Mukherjee Nagar and Kamla Nagar.

A handful of colleges already have CCTV cameras. For instance, Sri Venkateswara College in South Campus has these cameras since last 8 years. The cameras are located in the canteen, the lobby and the library. The college authorities say that the cameras have proven beneficial to the college as it helps in monitoring student activities. Hansraj College also has four CCTV cameras installed in their campus- one camera each in front of the main gate, the library, the field area and the canteen.

However the question that arises is whether or not this system of invisible omniscience aimed at ensuring the safety of students, is the right way to go about things. These glass lenses watch impassively as we move about our daily lives, recording, noting all. Surveillance innately lowers the trust and increases suspicion. Don’t students have rights to go about their lives without this level of suspicion? The implication being that students are no longer trustworthy, branded guilty before the act. After all if you have something to hide, then you must be guilty. Where does privacy exist in such a setting? Isn’t privacy a fundamental right of all human beings?

Remember the nightmare you once had? When you thought someone was watching you. Well its true-. Big brother is watching you, for your own safety.

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