Death of student triggers protest at BU’s Jnanabharathi campus demanding ban on public vehicles

Nearly a week after she sustained critical injuries in a road accident inside the Jnanabharathi campus, a postgraduate student of Bangalore University died on Wednesday, triggering large-scale protests by students and faculty members demanding stricter traffic regulations and a ban on public vehicles inside the campus.

The deceased, Manasa, 23, a first-year postgraduate student in the Department of Visual Arts, was allegedly struck by a speeding autorickshaw on July 30, while crossing Gandhi Marg near the campus canteen after completing her examination. She suffered severe head injuries and was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a private hospital in Nagarabhavi, where she succumbed to her injuries on Wednesday morning.

Following her death, hundreds of students and faculty members gathered under the banner ‘Justice for Manasa’, accusing the university administration of failing to ensure road safety. The protesters submitted a memorandum to the Vice-Chancellor, demanding immediate measures to prevent similar incidents.

Among their demands were a complete ban on public vehicular movement inside the Jnanabharathi campus or, alternatively, the introduction of a one-way traffic system on Gandhi Marg, installation of speed breakers and barricades, diversion of through traffic via the Zoology Department road, and adequate compensation for Manasa’s family.

Protesters said Gandhi Marg, a narrow road connecting the university administrative block with Nagarabhavi Circle, witnesses heavy two-way traffic and frequent congestion. They also alleged that speeding vehicles and roadside vendors contribute to unsafe conditions.

Action to restrict public traffic

Bangalore University Vice-Chancellor C. Shivaraju expressed condolences. Addressing the protesters, he said, “Appropriate action will be taken soon after discussing the issue of restricting public traffic on Gandhi Marg Road at the state government level and in the university syndicate meeting. The family of the deceased student will be provided compensation by the university.”

“To protect the interests of students from such mishaps, health insurance facilities will be provided to all students of Bangalore University immediately,” he added.

In 2022, Shilpashree, a postgraduate student, was run over by a BMTC bus inside the campus and succumbed to her injuries after battling for life in hospital for 11 days.

At present, vehicle movement is banned inside the campus from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Earlier, when Jayakara S.M. was the Vice-Chancellor of the university, several requests were sent to the government, the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner, and the Commissioner of the Greater Bengaluru Authority seeking support for a ban on public vehicles inside the campus. Following this, the then Police Commissioner B. Dayananda banned the movement of trucks inside the campus.