'Hidden camera in college washroom': Udupi SP asks public not to believe rumours
Udupi, July 25: Udupi district police have urged the public not to believe rumours regarding news circulating in social media that a hidden camera was placed in the washroom of a private college in Udupi by female students of a particular community.
Addressing reporters in Udupi, District Superintendent of Police Hakay Akshay Machhindra said a clarification has been issued through the police social media handles about people linking some issues that occurred in other places with the reported incident in Udupi.
Attempts are being made to create confusion by sharing unverified information on social media platforms.
He said the police department has no information regarding any such video circulating. Moreover, they have not received any reports about any hidden camera being placed in the college, he said.
The college management has taken disciplinary action at their level, the SP told the media, and the victim too has informed the college management that a video was made for fun and later deleted, and not circulated.
Machhindra said the purported video has not been circulated anywhere. In case anyone finds the video, they can bring it to our notice, he said.
Speaking about the police visit to Rashmi Samant, a twitter user and native of Udupi, he said the police wanted to verify the authenticity of the Twitter account through which a tweet was posted with the rumours about students of a particular community.
Police has not registered any complaint as there is no clue about the incident to file a suo motu case, the SP said.
Meanwhile, addressing a press meet, college director Rashmi Krishna Prasad said as soon as the management learned about the incident, an enquiry was held. Based on the investigations, students have been suspended as part of disciplinary action for bringing mobile phones to college, which is against the rules.
She said the students have also apologised for their actions. The police, who were informed, reached the college and an investigation was carried out in the presence of the parents of students involved. The mobile phones of students have been handed over to police, she said.
She said the students have clearly stated that it was only for fun that a video was made, and that they submitted an apology.
Later talking to reporters, Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna urged the police department to register a suo motu case against the students who allegedly kept hidden cameras in the washroom.
He told reporters that the three students have brought disrepute to the district, which is an educational hub, and he claimed that he suspected the role of unseen hands behind the act. The matter will be brought to the notice of the chief minister and home minister, he said.
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India’s generosity should not be mistaken for weakness: V-P Radhakrishnan
Kalaburagi (Karnataka) (PTI): Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Wednesday asserted that India will continue to fight terrorism unitedly, but said the country’s “generosity” should not be mistaken for “weakness.”
He made the remarks while addressing the 10th convocation of the Central University of Karnataka.
The vice president said the rise of “nari shakti” (women's power) reflects a transformative journey towards equality, empowerment, and leadership across multiple fields such as academia, research, governance, entrepreneurship, innovation, space research, and the armed forces.
Referring to a press briefing by three women officers of the armed forces on Operation Sindoor, he recalled the 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 tourists on April 22.
“How cruel are they (terrorists)? In front of the wife, they are killing the husband. But we have to fight terrorism. We have to fight our enemies. We want to live together at all times and take everyone along. But that should not be mistaken for weakness; it is our generosity,” he said.
The vice president highlighted the growing role of women in academic excellence.
He observed that women consistently form a majority among medal winners at convocations across the country and expressed satisfaction that more than 80 per cent of the gold medalists at the university this year are women.
He urged graduating students to contribute meaningfully to society and nation-building, emphasising that the vision of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) can be achieved only through the collective efforts of all citizens.
“You (graduating students) carry the responsibility to contribute meaningfully to society and to the nation as a whole. India today stands at a defining moment,” he said, adding that the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of a Viksit Bharat is a shared national mission.
“Viksit Bharat cannot be achieved unless each one of us contributes to the best of our abilities. When all efforts come together, they will create the best in the world,” Radhakrishnan said.
Calling upon the youth to innovate, lead, and act with integrity, he said every graduate is a stakeholder in India’s development journey and must recognise their role in nation-building.
“The classrooms that students leave behind today have prepared them for nation-building. Equally significant is the spirit of a self-reliant India,” he added.
Referring to India’s progress across sectors, the vice president said the country is making new achievements in every field, driven by the enthusiasm of young people to adapt to changing requirements and contribute solutions.
“It is about using your own capabilities, fostering innovation, supporting local enterprises, and creating solutions rooted in our realities, yet competitive on the global stage. That is what is important—we must be globally competitive,” he said.
He insisted that graduates equip themselves to adapt to rapid changes in a fast-evolving world, stressing that whether they become entrepreneurs, researchers, administrators, or professionals, their role in strengthening a self-reliant ecosystem will be crucial.
The vice president said graduates are entering a world full of opportunities as well as challenges, including climate change, technological disruption, and social inequalities, and encouraged them to face these with courage and creativity.
“Let your education guide you, and let your values define you,” he said, stressing that learning should be reflected in action and in life.
He told students not to measure success solely by personal gain or compare themselves negatively with others, saying the achievements of peers should serve as motivation rather than jealousy.
The vice president told students not to become dejected or frustrated by failure. “Success may not teach as many lessons, but failure teaches many,” he said.
Drawing from his own political journey, Radhakrishnan said he had contested five elections and won two, describing failure as a natural part of life.
“We should never become stagnant. We should always move forward with renewed enthusiasm,” he said, advising students to recover from setbacks and continue moving forward.
