The Jagannath University (JnU) administration has issued strict directives to end seat blocking, harassment and attempts to prevent freshman students from securing seats on university buses, warning that such actions will be treated as ragging and attract disciplinary measures.
A official notice signed by the university’s Transport Administrator, Tarik Bin Atique, was issued in this regard on Thursday.
According to the notice, the administration has observed an ongoing practice of reserving seats in advance by placing exercise books, pens, water bottles, bags, wallets, or lecture sheets on seats across the university’s own and rented buses.
Furthermore, instances of junior students being prevented from sitting and being harassed through the influence of bus committees have come to the administration’s attention.
The administration stressed that such conduct runs counter to university discipline, general etiquette, and mutual cordiality. Dominating any student or treating them unfairly under the pretext of seat reservation will be regarded as equivalent to ragging, a breach of discipline, and a punishable offence.
Under the new directives, occupying seats beforehand with personal belongings is completely prohibited. Barring junior or fresher students from sitting, exerting the influence of bus committees, or inflicting any form of mental or physical harassment will not be tolerated. Administrative and disciplinary action will be taken under university rules if proof of involvement in such incidents is found.
In addition, smoking, carrying, or consuming drugs and narcotics inside any vehicle operating under the university transport service has been strictly banned. Drivers and their assistants have been instructed to open bus doors for students 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time.
Drivers and transport staff have also been directed to report immediately to the administration in the event of illegal seat occupation or any form of indiscipline on buses. The university authority called upon students, drivers, and transport workers to strictly adhere to these instructions.
