Jadavpur University Death: Homophobia & Toxic Masculinity a Silent Epidemic in Educational Institutions

The tragic death of Swapnadeep Kundu, a first-year Bengali student at Jadavpur University in Kolkata, has raised concerns about issues like homophobia and toxic masculinity prevalent in educational institutions. Swapnadeep took his own life by jumping from the hostel balcony, highlighting the widespread problem of ragging, particularly in all-male hostels.

Reports suggest that Swapnadeep was subjected to homophobic ragging by senior hostel mates who assumed his sexual orientation based on his appearance. This form of ragging, which aims to toughen up new students through physical and emotional torment, is sadly common. Swapnadeep had faced this kind of bullying for some time and had even contacted his father to leave the hostel, but his life ended tragically before that could happen.

Homophobic bullying was a significant factor in Swapnadeep's case, with hostel seniors targeting him due to his perceived femininity. This bullying pushed him to prove his masculinity, leading to a humiliating experience. Unable to bear the shame, he chose to end his life.

After public outrage, seven individuals, associated with a political organization known as Collective, were arrested for their involvement in the ragging. However, the incident also sparked political blame games and negative portrayals of Jadavpur University.

Jadavpur University Under the Limelight: Real Issue gets Overshadowed

JU has a long history of being a left bastion often dubbed as ‘Anti-national’ by the right wing, hence a raging battle also broke out between the left organisation and BJP’s Yuva Morcha Members. 

Suvendu Adhikari said “We have already taught a lesson to the 'Tukde-tukde' gang in JNU... we will cleanse them in Jadavpur as well.” 'Tukde-tukde' gang is a pejorative political catchphrase used by BJP against opponents accused of supporting sedition. (Source: Devdiscourse)

While the death of the 18-year old Swapnadeep should have unleashed a wave of anger against the education system and lack of laws it did quite the unthinkable. Jadavpur University (JU) has been the center of conflict involving its students, the administration led by Mamata Banerjee, and the Union government. This dispute revolves around attempts to exert influence over the university's operations.

In the midst of growing frustration over limited prospects for the youth in West Bengal, this incident has also triggered discussions about a crucial division that progressive campuses like JU often avoid recognizing. This divide exists on two levels: firstly, between economically disadvantaged students and their more affluent counterparts, and secondly, between students pursuing specific fields of study and those pursuing different subjects.

The media's focus on the incident largely ignored the homophobic nature of the bullying. Jadavpur University, historically known for its left-leaning activism, faced criticism and even lost its chance at an "Institute of Eminence" status. The media's portrayal of the university as a hub of criminal activities overshadowed the efforts of students and professors who protested against ragging and demanded justice for Swapnadeep.

Despite this tragic event, the media has largely overlooked the underlying issues of homophobia and toxic masculinity in university spaces. A queer student from the university emphasized that acknowledging these problems is essential for finding long-term solutions.

Ragging in Universities a Silent Epidemic

During the 15th-anniversary celebration of Orinam, a volunteer collective supporting the LGBTIQA+ community in Chennai, an unplanned speaker emerged. This speaker, a 17-year-old, spontaneously shared his distressing experience of being bullied at school due to his "effeminate" nature. Shockingly, his tormentors included not only fellow students but also teachers. He expressed that without the assistance of this support group, he might have resorted to suicide. Now, his focus is on completing his board exams.

A research report by UNESCO provides valuable insights into the real-life experiences of individuals. Among the surveyed participants, 60% and 50% respectively mentioned facing physical bullying predominantly during middle/high school and higher secondary school. Surprisingly, 43% of respondents indicated experiencing sexual harassment during their primary school years. However, a mere 18% of the participants chose to report incidents of bullying based on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) to school authorities. Among those who reported bullying, 53% noted that the authorities took some form of action against the perpetrators.

The repercussions of bullying were significant and severe: 73% of respondents reported a decline in their social interactions with peers, while 70% suffered from feelings of anxiety and depression. Moreover, 70% mentioned experiencing difficulties in maintaining focus on their studies, leading to concentration issues. Around 63% noticed a decline in their academic performance, and 53% admitted to skipping classes due to bullying. Shockingly, approximately one-third (33.2%) attributed their decision to discontinue their education to the impact of bullying.

Source: TOI

Lack of Policies, Rules & Regulations

In 2021, an inclusive teacher training manual centered around gender neutrality was featured on the NCERT website. The manual aimed to educate teachers about gender diversity and promote inclusivity for transgender children. However, due to backlash from certain groups who claimed that it didn't align with their understanding of gender and essential requirements, the manual was taken down. This incident highlights a key reason behind the ongoing discrimination faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals within educational institutions: the absence of comprehensive sexuality education.

The lack of well-defined policies and practices that validate and provide support to LGBTQIA+ individuals, coupled with the failure to effectively implement strategies, perpetuates an environment where students encounter bullying, isolation, and prejudice in schools. This unfortunate reality not only jeopardizes their education but also places them at risk.

Regrettably, only a handful of countries have educational policies addressing violence targeting individuals based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Additionally, few nations incorporate discussions on sexual orientation and gender identity into their curricula. Moreover, the scarcity of data collection related to the nature and consequences of such violence contributes to a limited awareness of the issue and hinders the development of effective responses.

While some progress is evident in recognizing the vulnerabilities faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, this advancement is inconsistent. There remains a notable lack of accurate, unbiased information untainted by judgments and misconceptions surrounding these issues.

In summary, the suicide of Swapnadeep Kundu at Jadavpur University sheds light on the prevalent issues of homophobia and toxic masculinity within educational institutions. The incident also exposes the darker side of ragging and highlights the need for broader awareness and efforts to address these problems.