The recent events surrounding Kolkata law student Monojit Mishra—who faces multiple allegations, including sexual assault and blackmail—have sent shockwaves through academic circles. It’s not just the horror of the crime that has disturbed many, but the realization that such acts were allegedly committed by someone the victim knew—a fellow student and peer.
As educational institutions prepare to welcome thousands of freshers this year, such incidents raise an uncomfortable but important question: what happens when trust is broken not by outsiders, but by those sitting beside us in classrooms?
Monojit Mishra, nicknamed “Mango” by peers, was once a visible face on campus—associated with student leadership, activism, and a network of influence. That very influence, according to several reports and testimonies, is what allowed repeated instances of harassment to go unchecked. His mobile phone allegedly contained recordings of the assault, used later for blackmail. The gravity of this incident isn’t isolated—it’s part of a wider pattern observed in institutions across India, where existing structures of power within student communities can turn oppressive.
This doesn’t mean campuses are inherently unsafe, but it highlights how safety isn’t just about locked gates or CCTV cameras. True security in academic spaces requires emotional trust, mutual respect, and institutional accountability.
Students, especially young women, often navigate a complex social environment on campus. Friendships are formed quickly. Trust is extended naturally. In such a setting, it becomes vital for institutions to foster not only academic excellence but also emotional awareness and ethical responsibility.
Educational institutions must therefore go beyond superficial safeguards. It’s not enough to react after something happens—prevention is the key. This means building stronger internal complaint committees, holding regular sensitisation sessions on consent, and encouraging a culture where bystanders speak up. Leadership roles on campus, especially in unions or student bodies, must carry ethical checks. Popularity should never shield misconduct.
But the responsibility doesn’t lie solely with colleges or universities. As a society, we must rethink how we raise and educate boys. The casual sexism, objectification, and silence around abusive behavior in peer groups feed into the entitlement that leads to more serious crimes. Parents, educators, and peers must engage in honest, ongoing conversations about boundaries, respect, and the consequences of violating them.
It’s also time to create safer avenues for reporting. Many survivors never speak up because they fear judgment, retaliation, or being labeled as troublemakers. Confidential, survivor-friendly reporting systems—and visible action—can change that. The silence around harassment often stems from a fear that nothing will change. Breaking that silence requires more than policy—it requires visible will.
Despite the disturbing nature of such cases, it is important not to paint campuses as dangerous spaces. In fact, most institutions are full of young, driven, compassionate students working to build inclusive communities. But when even one case like this slips through unchecked, it shakes the very foundation of that spirit.
Let this be a moment not of fear, but of reflection and resolve. Let institutions double down on nurturing campuses that are intellectually challenging, emotionally safe, and ethically strong. Let students feel empowered not just by knowledge—but by the assurance that their safety, dignity, and trust are non-negotiable.
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