BHU girl students seek security on campus

VARANASI: Compelled by growing cases of hooliganism against girl students on the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) campus, more than 250 girl students of three hostels of the varsity took out a march from Triveni Hostel to VC Lodge on Monday evening.
Among other incidents, a US-based lady doctor of Indian origin was recently attacked by five persons on the campus when she was on evening walk with her friend.
But when their demonstration and protest march did not get any response from the authorities, the students marched to the residence of V-C and demanded to meet V-C G C Tripathi. The students alleged that the proctorial board of the varsity was indifferent to cases of harassment and assault and hence the security be beefed up.
“All we want is an assurance from the vice-chancellor that adequate security measures on the campus, especially around girls hostels,” said an inmate of Triveni hostel. After holding discussions for an hour or so, we decided to carry out a silent march to VC Lodge to submit our demands. But when we reached there, the chief proctor assured us that necessary action will be taken, she added.
“It was no hunger strike or anything of that sort. We reached the VC Lodge at 6:30 pm just to put forth our demand on security on campus. The entire lane of the girls’ hostel is so unsafe that one cannot even come out in the evening. The passersby pass vulgar comments and use offensive language which is intolerable,” said another hosteller.
“For research students like use, reaching hostel by 5 pm is not possible. We tend to complete our work late and return hostel by night. But, it does not mean others should take advantage of it. It is high time the administration ensures proper security,” said a research scholar.
“Many such incidents keep happening every now and then on the campus. Even some outsiders misbehaved with me while I was returning to hostel on Sunday afternoon,” said another hosteler. BHU public relations officer (acting) Rajesh Singh said, “The varsity administration has always ensured proper security on the campus, especially for girls. Though such incidents can happen anytime, anywhere with anybody, we have prepared a plan to beef up security and only girls with ID cards will be allowed to move in the lane towards girls hostels.”
Later, the vice-chancellor reached Triveni Girls hostel complex and interacted with students on Tuesday evening.
“The vice-chancellor assured them that security will be beefed up in and around girls' hostel. A comprehensive security plan has also been prepared. It has also been decided that the girls' hostel lane will be made 'vehicle-free’ to avoid entry of outsiders or eve-teasers,” BHU spokesman Rajesh Singh said.
On Sunday evening, a research scholar along with her friend was chatting outside Triveni Hostel when a group of passersby shouted vulgar comments. After the girls reacted and protested against it, they were allegedly assaulted by the miscreants. Even after a complaint with the varsity authorities, no action was taken.
A US-based lady doctor (Ayurveda) of Indian origin, pursuing PhD in BHU, faced molestation bid by five persons on the campus recently. The police have caught twoA accused and a manhunt was on to nab others.