Student, youth groups protest ceiling collapse at Kalaburagi PU college, seek compensation, safety audit

Student and youth organisations staged protests in Kalaburagi on Saturday, condemning the collapse of ceiling plaster in a classroom at the Government Pre-University College for Girls, which left students injured, and demanding immediate action to ensure the safety of students in educational institutions.

Members of the All India Democratic Students’ Organisation (AIDSO) held a demonstration in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office, demanding compensation for the injured students and the construction of a new college building.

Addressing the protesters, AIDSO district president Tuljaram N.K. said thousands of girl students from poor families across the district depended on the college for higher education. He described the incident, in which ceiling plaster fell during a first-year commerce class, as alarming and said it had created an atmosphere of fear among students and parents.

He urged the government to provide immediate compensation to the injured students, repair the damaged portions of the building, and sanction funds for a new college building. Alleging neglect of infrastructure in government educational institutions, he said students in many schools and colleges were forced to study in unsafe buildings, particularly during the monsoon season. He warned that the organisation would intensify its agitation if adequate safety measures and basic facilities were not provided.

Meanwhile, the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) organised a protest at SVP Chowk, demanding a comprehensive safety audit of educational institutions across the State.

Lavitra Vastrad, DYFI state president, said parents sent their children to schools and colleges with hopes of a better future, but incidents such as the ceiling collapse reflected official apathy towards educational infrastructure. She called for an immediate inspection of school and college buildings and preventive measures to avoid similar incidents.

DYFI leader Shashi Dange alleged that the safety and welfare of students were being compromised due to the failure of elected representatives and officials to maintain basic infrastructure in educational institutions.

SFI district president Sarvesh Mavinkar claimed that one of the injured students had suffered a serious head injury requiring multiple stitches and criticised public representatives for their inadequate response to the incident. SFI Karnataka committee member Imam demanded that the government bear the entire cost of treatment of the injured students, announce suitable compensation and initiate action against officials responsible for the lapse.

Both organisations urged the government to undertake urgent repairs of dilapidated educational buildings, conduct structural safety inspections, and prioritise the safety of students studying in government institutions.

AIDSO district secretary Venkatesh Devadurga, vice-president Preeti Doddamani and other office-bearers participated in the protest. Among those present at the SFI-DYFI demonstration were DYFI district convenor Pramod Panchal, co-convenor Salman Khan, Pandurang Mavinkar, and several students and youth activists.