Mount Carmel College cancels event following unrest

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru

Mount Carmel College on Monday cancelled its cultural programmes to mark the 75 Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, along with the college’s year-long platinum jubilee celebrations, after a mob tried to gate-crash the event.

 After the official flag hoisting on the college premises at 8 am, a huge crowd tried to gate-crash into the college to attend the dance and music programmes. However, prompt police action helped prevent the situation from getting out of hand.

The total number of tickets sold to the public was approximately 2,000, but when the event was about to begin, nearly 5,000 people were present, many without a valid ticket, and they tried to gate-crash the event. This led to complete chaos leading to the cancellation of the event.

The college authorities said, “Each student was given a booklet of 20 tickets and most of it was sold. The actual number of tickets sold was as per the capacity of the college premises, but unfortunately the crowd gathered was twice as much or more than expected. Many wanted to enter even without a ticket. The High Grounds police were alerted and they took immediate action to disperse the crowd. The crowd was unmanageable and we had to call off the cultural celebrations.”

Many college students across the city who had bought tickets and came to witness the cultural extravaganza were left disappointed. They felt the college had mismanaged the crowd and did not plan the event well.

Some claimed they had paid Rs 100 per ticket and incurred travel expenses. Many students alleged that the tickets were resold at a higher price. “I bought three tickets and paid Rs 500 to the ticket seller at the college gate. We have been waiting since 9 am and now the event is cancelled,” said Halima, a first PU student, St Teresa’s Composite College.

“There were 5,000 odd people gathered outside the college to witness the show. We were immediately called by the college authorities and successfully managed to disperse the crowd,” said an Inspector.

 Mount Carmel College Principal Sr Arpana was unavailable to comment regarding the cancellation