Women activists, students protest police action on BHU campus

Press Trust of India  |  New Delhi 

Scores of activists belonging to women's groups and student organisations today protested the lathi-charge on women students of Banaras Hindu University, at here.

Student protests rocked the BHU campus following an alleged incident of sexual harassment on Thursday night.


A number of students, including women, and two journalists were injured in a baton-charge by the police.

Richa Singh, the first woman president of the University Students Union (AUSU), alleged that after targeting Muslims and Dalits, the was now aiming at women.

She alleged women students of BHU were "molested" thrice -- "first when three motorcycle-borne men molested an Arts Faculty student, second when police barged into their hostels and third when the vice-chancellor shamed the victim".

Singh said that instead of bringing the culprits to book, the varsity's vice-chancellor was busy identifying the protesters.

All Progressive Women's Association Secretary Kavita Krishnan said, "Security of our freedom is our constitutional right, and no government, no VC can take that away."

JNUSU president Geeta Kumari said women students of BHU were "fighting to defend their autonomy".

All Students' Association's national president Sucheta De said, "The BHU movement is a declaration of freedom for all women across the country. Women are demanding justice and fighting against sexist rules, moral policing and victim shaming.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Mon, September 25 2017. 20:07 IST