CIP student fights for justice, Institute in denial mode

September 10, 2010

VIJAY DEO JHA RANCHI

Social psychologists Ross, Lepper and Hubbard painstakingly experimented to bring us ‘Belief Perseverance Theory’ to explain unwillingness of some people to admit that their foundational premises of beliefs were incorrect even when shown convincing evidence to the contrary.

The theory seems to be dominant upon the Central Institute of Psychiatry (CIP) at least in the case of ragging and molestation of one of the students of the institute Sneha Tripathi by two senior doctors; Dr Amrit and Dr Sanjay, during a picnic spree.

Tripathi pursuing PhD course in clinical psychology from the institute, was allegedly molested by the duo — hit her by volleyball and plunging her head in the water body of Panchghagh waterfall at Murhu on September 5.

Tripathi has lodged a formal complaint with the director of the institute S Haq Nizami. A two member committee has been formed to investigate the case.

The committee is yet to come to a conclusion but the jury are out to pass the judgment. Jury number one: Nizami. “It a matter between two individuals. It is not the case of ragging or molestation,” Nizami told The Pioneer after much prodding. “The committee will soon give its report.” Nizami unknowingly dropped a broad hint about what could be the findings of the report.

Tripathi on Thursday narrated her woe before the media on the premise of the institute alleging authorities for hushing up the case. “I have not gone to the police to lodge my complaint so far. But now I doubt to get justice from the institute.” Tripathi is singularly fighting knowing well she is neither “first nor the last student of the institute who was humiliated in the name of ragging.

While Amrit is a pass out of the institute, Sanjay works as a doctor here. But instead of admitting the wrong and administering exemplary dose of discipline the CIP authorities initially even refused to acknowledge the fact.

Dr D Ram, administrative officer of CIP changed his version twice — half acceptance at one moment and a very quick denial the very next minute.

“Institution is in such a denial it is because of the fact that both the doctors enjoy the patronage of the professors and management of the institute…otherwise the fact remains what Tripathi has said,” observed one of the students of the institute.

Sadly enough, the dirty departments have clandestinely cropped on the institute’s premise running whisper campaign to prove her a compulsive liar. Some have gone up to the extent of investigating the medical history of her family desperately trying to prove her a case of psychological disorder.

Dr Amrit defended himself terming it a minor brawl after the volleyball inadvertently hit her. “I had promptly sought apology. But she is exaggerating the case complaining that I pushed her head in the water during the game.”

Psychological experts will explain you that the person holds his view more tenaciously even after the fact is attested as true by many others.

“Ragging? What ragging you are talking about? No molestation. No case,” the institute reminded. Call it Belief Perseverance; call it an attempt to deny justice: as you like.