The pressure on students shows no signs of easing; in fact, it seems to be growing stronger and more brutal. However, students are resolute, declaring that they will endure everything and that the blockades will remain in place.
The intelligence agency (BIA), calls from distant countries, messages from unknown numbers, emails from professors… yet the students remain steadfast, patiently waiting for their demands to be met.
There is fear, but they quickly and collectively overcome it.
“These are calls from unknown numbers originating in countries we have no connection to; we don’t know anyone from those places. Along with this, we receive threatening messages, a mix of appalling insults and threats,” said Irina Sekulić.
Unlike the Faculty of Organizational Sciences, where one professor, Nebojša Nikolić, yesterday at precisely 11:52 AM—the exact time the canopy collapsed at the Novi Sad railway station—posed peculiar questions to students (completely unrelated to the mathematics he teaches), administrations from eight faculties near Studentski Trg have jointly warned that the safety of students is at risk.
“Professors claim that students are subjected to gender-based insults, inappropriate language, and direct threats. On multiple occasions, unknown individuals have been observed photographing specific students or entire groups of students,” reported N1.
“We don’t want to believe that this is being done by people from our faculty who are sharing our numbers. Instead, we suspect there is actual surveillance involved. I hope this will come to an end. This is why it’s important that the faculty administrations have spoken out, that this issue is being discussed, and that people understand this cannot go unnoticed,” Irina added.
The repression affects not only students and their parents but also professors who support them.
“The public has been particularly shaken by the case of Professor Vladimir Dugalić. However, it is crucial to highlight the epidemic proportions of draconian measures directed at other doctors and lecturers from the Faculty of Medicine, who have not publicly commented on their dismissals. Repression due to opinions represents a regression of civilization—a loss of freedoms long fought for and embedded in our university,” stated Prof. Dr. Radan Stojanović from the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Belgrade.
While attacks continue against those seeking the truth about the canopy collapse and demanding institutions fulfill their duties, the authorities persist in actions that the students are protesting against. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister provides updates on the Prosecutor’s Office’s activities.
“I believe the Prosecutor’s Office is nearing the end of its investigation—if I’m not mistaken, it may have already concluded. We can expect an indictment in the coming weeks. As a lawyer, I can tell you this process is moving exceptionally quickly,” said Prime Minister Miloš Vučević.
It has been two months since the canopy collapsed in Novi Sad, claiming the lives of 15 people, including children.
The public still has no clarity on the direction of the investigation, and not all documentation has been made available.
(Novi Magazin, 29.12.2024)