The illustration is by Tvisha Vasudevan (B.A., LL.B. Batch of 2027). The introduction has been written by Dhawal M. (B.A., LL.B. Batch of 2025).
The Big Brother-esque installation of CCTV cameras across campus has bothered almost every one, though it remains to be seen how much the cameras can actually see with all the cement, sand and other sneeze-inducing construction materials in the air. We, at Quirk, have scoured the campus to identify and locate these essential security measures. This piece aims to inform the students about the areas on campus under surveillance so that you can make the informed choice of being in these areas, safe and sound, under the watchful eye of the administration.
As a residential university, the campus forms an important setting for personal growth, experimentation and socialisation. All things which aren’t facilitated quite effectively under 24x7 lit common spaces with CCTV surveillance. The concerns for safety which warrant CCTV installation may have some truth to them, however, the effect of the policy is that socialisation moves to darker and more unsafe places. The CCTV Policy does little to placate the fears students have. As put beautifully by a Tumblr textpost- ahh the mortifying ordeal of being perceived!
So, the question remains, what are the CCTV cameras installed to achieve? Safety or Surveillance?
The list of locations has been compiled by Tvisha Vasudevan (B.A., LL.B. Batch of 2027), Dhawal M. (B.A., LL.B. Batch of 2025), Chetan R. (B.A., LL.B. Batch of 2025), Lakshmi Nambiar (B.A., LL.B. Batch of 2023).
1. Above Gangotri door
2. In front of the Nilgiris entrance, on a pole opposite the door
3. Annapurna: in the entrance, right above, before when the stairs start
4. On a pole above Gate 2 (rotating camera)
5. On the wall behind Chetta, facing Gate 2
6. Near the mess back entrance
7. Outside Narmada entrance
8. Yamuna, on the wall in front and to the right of the door (if you're coming out)
9. Above Annexe door
10. Main entrance of nab
11. Main entrance of nab
12. 1 at the entrance of library
13. 1 revolving camera on the wall near entrance of library
14. Revolving camera behind NAB, near Ashu's
15. and 16. On the wall behind NAB
17. Two on the pillar near the faculty area
18. Facing the stairs on all floors
19 and 20. Near water filter and at the opposite end on all floors
21. Gate 3
22. Gate 3
23. Gate 3
24. Outside Mess Block.
25. Outside Cauvery
26. Outside Ganga
27. Outside Hooghly
28, 29, 30. Three at the entrance of the field (one rotating, one fixed facing outwards, one fixed facing inwards)
31. One at Gate 4
32. One in front of the Parking Area.
33. One near the security room.
34. One on the other side of Gate 1
35. Outside door of TC
36. Pointing at the gate to health centre
37. Inside pathway to health centre
38. Rotating camera above gate 0
39. Pointing at gate 0 placed near the guest rooms
40. Camera outside Himalaya entrance towards CDMC stand
41. Camera at entrance of LC
42. Outside side entry
43. Lift niche- revolving
45, and 45. Two inside canteen
46. One inside common room- revolving
47. Outside main entry
48. Ground floor
2 near water filter (1 towards entrance, one towards moot court hall)
1 near the OAB entrance
1 at the news stand-towards teachers room
2 at the reception in opposite directions
1 at the pride wall
49. First floor
2 near water filter(in the direction of the two corridors
2 in front of SWO office(in the direction of the two corridors)
1 outside faculty washrooms
50. Second floor
Two at the wall on the opposite side of the mediation centre (in the direction of the two corridors
One outside registrar's office
Two near water coolers (in the direction of the two corridors
51. Pointing at swings in health centre
52, and 53: on a pole near the right side back corner of the bball court - 2 cameras: 1 rotating, another facing the TC mess/kitchen entrances
53 cameras??? Y'all crazy