'Racial profiling' in Hyderabad university sparks row

HYDERABAD: A University of Hyderabad "initiative" to end drinking and drug use on campus took an ugly turn as the vice-chancellor suggested to faculty members they begin with students from the northeast. Describing it as a case of "racial profiling", students held daylong protests on Friday, ending in the official apologizing in writing for the "inadvertent" move.
 Vice-chancellor Ramakrishna Ramaswamy's concern on alcohol and drugs on-campus grew over the past 20 days when in two incidents of violence, students were found to be inebriated. Students from the northeast said they had been singled out in both cases, though others were involved as well. On October 17, Ramaswamy sent a letter to faculty members from the northeast, saying he wanted to meet them regarding "consumption of alcohol and drugs on campus".
 At the meeting, he informed them that the university administration would carry out a series of reform measures to curb consumption of alcohol and drugs on campus and that he would "start" with the northeastern community. Furious at the statement, students held a rally, demanding the V-C apologize for "shortlisting" them. "Alcoholism or drug abuse affects people across the world. So when it comes to reforming student community on campus why should the V-C call up the faculty members of northeastern community? It is a clear case of racial profiling and we are not ready to put up with this," said a student of the university. "This will continue if we do not protest," said another.
 The incident appeared to add to already simmering resentment. Northeasterners said they were teased and branded "fast" and treated "differently" by others and the V-C's statement was a damaging reflection of how they were being perceived. The agitation of north-eastern students was supported by other students as well.
 "The university is an egalitarian space and the fact that the head of a university thinks that a certain student community needs to be profiled, counselled and corrected corrupts the very nature of that space," said a student.
By the end of the day, Ramaswamy said he had merely consulted faculty members on the incidents of violence in the past, which "inadvertently gave the impression of profiling". "If it has hurt your sentiments, it is deeply regrettable," he said in a written statement, which was circulated in the university. Dean of student welfare, B Rajashekhar, said that it was norm in the university to involve faculty members to resolve student issues and the latest move was no different.