What's Really Behind Freshers Party at Jadavpur University?
Introduction
A freshers party at Jadavpur University, like at many other academic institutions, traditionally serves multiple purposes such as welcoming new students, fostering community, and hosting cultural events. However, the underlying culture at these events often reveals a more troubling reality, which this article aims to explore in depth.
Traditional Aspects of Freshers Parties
Typical freshers parties at Jadavpur University often include cultural performances, ice-breaking games, and socializing opportunities. New students, termed 'freshers,' are encouraged to interact with senior students and faculty. The event is organized by student unions and often involves a specific theme, enhancing the overall engagement and memorability of the occasion.
For freshers, these events are significant milestones that mark the beginning of a new academic journey. They provide a platform for networking, social integration, and perhaps even some cultural exchanges, reflecting the university's vibrant life and active engagement in arts and activism.
The Dark Side of Freshers Parties
Despite the welcoming and community-building aspects, what transpires at Jadavpur University's freshers parties often involves mocking and humiliating new students. This practice can be alarming and often goes beyond the initial misgivings of a memorable welcome function.
Bullying and Mockery
New students, termed 'freshers,' may be subjected to various forms of harassment. Freshmen are often addressed with condescending terms such as 'baccha,' which means 'baby.' High school seniors might mock family names, engage in crude rhyming, and even make inappropriate comments about parents' intimate lives. Such behavior can be deeply offensive and indicative of a culture that lacks respect and dignity.
Sexist and Sadistic Humiliation
For female freshers, the experience can be even more degrading. They may be asked to participate in workplaces where they are objectified, such as being asked to pretend to have anal insertion, perform oral sex, or engage in 69 positioning, all under line-of-sight conditions. Furthermore, balloons might be placed on their chests, and they are required to watch someone squish them if the balloons burst.
These activities are often performed fully clothed to add an additional layer of embarrassment and humiliation. They are designed to make the audience laugh, sometimes to the point where audio recordings or actual actions go beyond the boundaries set by campus rules and create a uncomfortable and traumatic environment for the victims.
Authority and Community Norms
Despite the severe nature of these events, the university's anti-ragging rules are strictly enforced, and most seniors refrain from crossing these boundaries. This sets up an ethical dilemma between following the rules and pushing the limits of what is socially acceptable. However, the fear of consequences from the authorities or other seniors may prevent the most extreme forms of harassment from occurring.
Regardless, these confrontations are often the only significant interaction between freshmen and their seniors throughout the four years. The experience is so traumatizing that many do not speak out against it, fearing retaliation or ignoring the reality of the situation.
The Impact on Freshers
How freshmen handle these events can affect their academic and social integration. Some who go through this experience without being overly aggressive can earn a small reward in the form of a 60 rupee biryani at the end of the night. However, the long-term psychological impact of such experiences can be profound, affecting confidence, self-esteem, and overall well-being.
In conclusion, the freshers parties at Jadavpur University, while initially seen as a fun and welcoming event, often expose the darker undertones of student culture. It is crucial for the university and its students to address these issues proactively to create a more respectful and inclusive environment for all.