Telangana college event safety has come under scrutiny after a fatal accident during a Dandiya event at MVSR Engineering College, prompting student protests and a proposed review of safety arrangements at educational institutions. The Telangana Council of Higher Education (TGCHE) will issue a notice to the college seeking a detailed report, its chairman Balakista Reddy said.
Reddy said the council would examine the college’s response before deciding on further action. The accident has led students to demand accountability from the management and stronger safeguards for campus events, including safety audits for temporary stages, lighting equipment and other structures.
The TGCHE is also considering a broader safety framework for events held on college campuses. The proposed provisions could address the structural safety of temporary installations, fire safety, emergency exits, medical facilities and arrangements for large gatherings, Reddy said.
He said police already follow procedures covering permissions, crowd management and emergency access for public events, but educational institutions may require a more specific framework because of their responsibility for student safety. The council has not yet announced the final provisions or a timeline for their implementation.
Reddy also said the incident had prompted the council to examine whether colleges should have medical officers or stronger first-aid facilities throughout the year. Medical preparedness had earlier been considered mainly during examinations and summer, but the council is now considering whether year-round requirements should be incorporated into the college registration process.
Students said the incident had left the campus community shocked and anxious. One student who attended a hackathon at the college earlier in the day and left before the collapse said students were fearful about event setups. The student also said the college management had not sent official communication to student or parent WhatsApp groups about the incident or possible safety measures. The student added that management may have contacted victims and their families privately, but this was not known to students.
With the Dasara vacation under way, students said they had no clarity on whether classes or campus activities would continue as usual when the college reopened. They called for mandatory safety audits before stages, lighting equipment and other structures are installed, and urged institutions to avoid heavy structures wherever possible.
Students also demanded that ambulances and paramedics be kept on standby at every campus event. The TGCHE is expected to consider the college’s report before determining any action against the institution and while examining the proposed safety guidelines for educational campuses.
