According to the principal, Rakesh Jain, the mischief-mongers were primarily external. “Those who vandalised the campus were certainly not from our institute. I have full faith in my students. They all come from good families and have scored high ranks to get a seat at the institute. Recently, however, we were forced to suspend a handful of students as they posed a hindrance to the proper functioning of the college. The protest turned ugly only when student leaders from the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) came into the scene.”

Asked whether allegations that students were forced to get a haircut at a barber shop on campus, Jain said: “Just like we have a canteen and other facilities, the management thought of opening a barber shop as well. Since we are running professional courses, it is imperative that our students be well-dressed. I do not see a problem in that.”

On the issue of making 85 per cent attendance compulsory, the principal clarified: “First of all, compulsory attendance has been kept at 75 per cent. This is to make sure that students take studies seriously and do not bunk classes at the slightest pretext.”