An undergraduate science student of Bandodkar College in Thane has been suspended after a purported video of him assaulting NCC cadets on the campus of the Joshi Bedekar College emerged on social media.

Joshi Bedekar College in Thane runs a big National Cadet Corps (NCC) unit along with two other sister concerns — Bandodkar College and VPM Polytechnic. The physical training of this NCC unit usually takes place on the campus of Joshi Bedekar College.

The video, captured by a fellow student, shows a physical training session at the Joshi Bedekar college on a rainy day. Some of the NCC cadets — all boys — are seen standing in push-up position in a water-logged area with their feet and head touching the ground and hands folded above the back. When one of the boys changes posture, a senior student is seen thrashing him with a bamboo stick.

Confirming that the video is from Joshi Bedekar College, principal Dr Suchitra Naik said that the administration has taken cognisance of the incident and the procedure to take punitive and corrective measures has begun.

“The said student has been identified as a science stream student from Bandodkar College, which is our sister concern. I have communicated it to the administration of that college and the student has been suspended. We also want to appeal to students to reach out to the administration, without any fear. If the victims of such behaviour or those who shot the video had approached us, we would have immediately taken action,” said Dr Naik.

She added there is a greater need to sensitise students against such aggressive behaviour. “We will also work on bringing such awareness,” she said.

While the college has taken prompt action, the incident led to discussion on functioning of NCC units in colleges.

A student, an NCC cadet from a different college, said, “This is regular practice in NCC where senior cadets are gain importance and juniors are expected to follow their orders.”

Pradeep Sawant from Yuva Sena said, “The NCC teacher for this specific unit was transferred recently. Senior cadets taking over in the absence of teachers has led to this incident.”