The three Indian Institute of Management Indore (IIMI) students, who have been suspended for consuming drugs on campus, have been asked to go for a rehabilitation and detoxification programme. Only on the completion of such a programme and with a medical certificate deeming them fit, will they be reinstated into the institute after two years.
Prof Siddharth Rastogi, faculty member also in charge of the hostels told PaGaLGuY, that contrary to the news making the rounds, the students have not been expelled but only suspended. “Once they go through the proper process of getting out of this addiction, and they produce a medical certificate to show that they are okay, we will take them back,” he said.
When asked why such a punitive step was taken, Prof Rastogi admitted it was harsh but had to be done. “Earlier in the year, when we had caught two other students taking drugs, we suspended them for six months. It was felt then, that the punishment was too light, which is why this time the suspension was extended to two years.”
The faculty member added that he, (like the committee members who were asked to study the case and take a decision) was in a bind on what the punishment should ideally be. “The fact is that it is illegal and there has been a precedent to this made it mandatory that a stricter message go across. We do not want yet another case,” he said.
High
Meanwhile, sources told PaGaLGuY, that the three students who were in their second year, were actually caught incidentally. Everyday, once the students leave for their lectures, the peons take a round of the hostels to make sure that the water machines are working and things are basically in order along the corridors. Along the way, they found one of the rooms letting out an obnoxious stench. They got the room opened and found the three students were smoking weed inside.
The trio were immediately taken to Prof Rastogi’s office. One of the students, apparently, could not even walk; he had to be helped by the warden. Even in the office, this particular student was barely able to stand, which meant he was completely stoned. Our source adds that preliminary inquiry in the office at that time, revealed that this student was a habitual offender and could hardly answer the questions. “It was obvious that his health was a matter of concern. The other two students were more sober . One of them said he had just started consuming drugs and was more in shock over getting caught than anything else while the other confessed that he had consumed drugs often before ,” the source added.
Background
None of the three are from Madhya Pradesh and all belong to middle class families. One of the families has just about seen some financial comfort after having gone through some very hard times before. “The families of the three students have been most distraught ever since the incident happened. Considering their background, it is difficult for them to accept the situation. But yes, they have come about it in a proper manner,” informed Prof Rastogi.
In fact, Prof Rastogi has been speaking to the families continuously. He has even shared his personal contacts with the family member so that they can call at any time of the day or night. One of the boys is engaged and his fiancé has been calling Prof Rastogi at different times of the day. “I am willing to speak to anybody from any of the families. I understand what they are going through,” the professor added.
When asked why this case at IIMI made headlines when alcohol and drug consumption is heard of at other b-schools too, Prof Rastogi said that it is not only drug abuse which is an issue here but also the maturity of the students. “To be missing lectures and consuming drugs is a serious matter and the condition of one of the students is definitely not just a drugs matter. Counselling is very important for the three.”
Prof Rastogi, who is an IIM alumnus, quipped that as a student, he has seen alcohol consumption inside the campus and that too in a state where alcohol is prohibited. “But students back then knew how to conduct themselves. No one drank alcohol during the day and missed classes for it. Besides, bottles were discarded properly after a party so there was no question of getting caught. And this never affected a student’s study time or his life on the campus.”
After getting caught, the three IIMI students have been extremely remorseful about their behaviour and been pressing for a lighter punishment. They have acknowledged that given their upbringing, they have not only bought a bad name to the institute but also their families.
Drugs source
According to officials connected to the police, the ‘source’ from where the students used to procure the drugs will be made public soon. IIM Indore is located on Rau Pithampur Road which is on the extreme outskirts of Indore city. In the years gone by, the area was a hotbed of criminal activities and dacoity. Some petty criminals who have now resorted to selling drugs still thrive. Some of these peddlers befriend students and ensure a ready supply of drugs close to the location of the students, in this case the IIMI campus. The police are on the trail of the peddler who supplied drugs to the IIMI students.
Help from everywhere
While the IIMI officials have handed over the case to the police, they have requested the police to go easy with the treatment of the students. Thanks to various student activities involving the local population, IIMI has received help not only from the local police but also the District Collector and other authorities, in handling this case sensitively.
It is learnt that the director N Ravichandran has also offered to use his contacts and find jobs for the students. This was done keeping in mind the students’ conformist background and that they would not be able to continue their MBA studies (at an IIM at least) for the next two years. The three students had taken loans to get into IIMI and the incident will mean a further financial burden on the family.
IIMI has made it clear to the families that once the students complete the rehab formalities, they will be allowed entry into the second year itself. In the course of the next two years however, a decision has to yet been taken, whether the students will be allowed entry at all, even as a guest of another student.
Meanwhile local political parties have decided to make most of the situation and get free publicity. One such group protested outside the campus on Saturday (our source says that one of the protestors was drunk) and tried to win over one of the three students and make him their poster boy, but was unsuccessful.
Campus/students
An uneasiness had overcome the campus last week when the incident came to light. While the first reaction was that the punishment was too ruthless, that changed to a feeling that “it was an unfortunate incident” and now the feeling is that nothing can be done about it. First and second year students told PaGaLGuY that classes are on as usual and while there is a sense of feeling sorry for the three students, they hope the penalty will help clear the system.
Future plans
IIMI has decided to put in several measures to counter the ugly occurrence. One is hold special meetings which deal with issues such as narcotics and other problems that are likely to trouble students on the campus. One such meeting was held last night. These meetings will have student representatives as well as faculty members.
The second, is to increase the number of food joints and the range of food inside the campus so that students are less tempted to go out to eat and involuntarily become victims of such vices.
Third is to increase the number of activities on the campus so that students are kept busy and their minds are off temptations such as drugs.
Also, it will henceforth be made compulsory that a check will be made of those students who miss classes/curricular activities without a valid reason.
Thankfully, according to Prof Rastogi, neither the students nor faculty members suggested that they increase the security/guards on the campus. “It is good to know that the problem is elsewhere and not in the security system at the campus.”
