Safety Under Scanner In College Events

Hyderabad:The death of a student and injuries to several others after a lighting structure collapse during Dandiya celebrations at the MVSR Engineering College in Nadargul have raised concerns over safety arrangements at large gatherings, with student unions questioning the practice of hosting star events and large-scale celebrations in colleges.

The incident comes less than two months after a sound equipment structure collapsed during the pre-release event of actor Yash’s film ‘Toxic’ at Malla Reddy University in Maisammaguda on August 22, injuring several people. The mishap had raised concerns over crowd management and the safety of temporary structures erected for large events.

Student unions said educational institutions should prioritise the safety of students and visitors instead of treating events as commercial attractions.

Students Federation of India secretary Nagaraju said educational institutions should avoid bringing celebrities to campuses for large events, pointing out that the Malla Reddy University incident had failed to serve as a warning. He alleged that colleges were conducting events as a business and demanded a government inquiry and the formation of a committee to prevent such incidents.

The latest accident has also brought into focus the risks associated with temporary lighting towers, sound equipment and other structures installed for cultural programmes, particularly when large crowds gather in confined spaces.

There were earlier incidents too. Though the circumstances differed, they highlight safety risks associated with large gatherings, including crowd movement, vehicle management and event infrastructure.

On September 5, 19-year-old BTech student S. Badrinath died after collapsing amid a large crowd during a Ganesh idol Aagaman procession in Ramnagar. Police said there was no stampede and suspected asphyxiation. A traffic reserve sub-inspector attempted CPR before the student was shifted to Gandhi Hospital, where he was declared dead. Musheerabad police registered a case as a suspicious death and launched an investigation.

In an incident on September 25, a 24-year-old delivery worker, Shiva, died after slipping under the wheels of a lorry carrying a Ganesh idol during an immersion procession near Khairatabad crossroads. Police said he had attempted to board the vehicle while walking alongside it.

Student unions have urged college managements and the authorities concerned to take responsibility for crowd management, ensure emergency medical arrangements and inspect temporary structures before events. They have also called for safety procedures and accountability for lapses.