BHU molestation case: University calls protest work of 'anti-nationals' who want to malign institution

Even as the students of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) continued their protests against the University for ‘shaming’ a student who was allegedly molested on campus on Thursday, the university authorities called the protests the work of ‘anti-national’ forces who are trying to malign BHU’s image.

 “This protest was completely political in nature because it was timed with the PM’s visit, with the intention of soiling the image of the university,” the BHU administration stated in a media release.

Dismissing Friday’s reports that a woman student had tonsured her head in protest, the BHU Information Centre on Saturday released on its Facebook page screenshots of a student with her head shaved. The post mentioned her name and details and claimed she had tonsured her head last year. Stating that she was being “exploited” by “anti-national” forces, the university called the protests the “work of propagandists”.

Students of the University went on protest after a woman student of the Arts Faculty was harassed by three men on a motorcycle inside the campus as she was returning to her hostel, but the security guard allegedly did not do anything to stop the accused.

According to reports protest turned violent as one of the protesters tried to set campus property on fire. However, speaking to dnaindia.com, one of the students said that the police used force to vacate protestors from outside Vice Chancellors's residence.

Students also alleged that woman cops were not present when the incident took place. In a video that has emerged, cops can be seen repeatedly hitting woman students with lathis.

Though lack of security and sexual harassment inside the campus are persistent issues, what angered students was the response of Proctor (security) and the administration who resorted to victim blaming. Why was she returning late to the hostel? If she comes late, what else will happen," students were allegedly told by the staff.

Meanwhile, orders have been given to close down BHU till October 2, and all the girls in MMV hostels have been asked to vacate their rooms by evening today. They have also been warned that they'll not be provided with either security or basic facilities of mess, electricity, water etc.