Banaras Hindu University women's rights protest

The Banaras Hindu University women's rights protest is a series of events beginning with a Banaras Hindu University student's September 2017 complaint that the university administration treated women unfairly.

Banaras Hindu University women's rights protest
DateSeptember 2017
Location
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

Harassment incident

On 21 September 2017, a woman reported sexual harassment to the university.[1] She claimed that the university responded by blaming her.[1]

Protests

The next day, 22 September, students organized a protest against the university's treatment of women.[1]

The university's administration filed a First information report against hundreds of students and alleged outsiders for rioting, mischief indented arson, attempt to murder among other sections of Indian Penal Code.[2]

Police used laathi charge in an attempt to get protesters to disperse the protestors.[3][4] Various protesters reported injuries. Alleged outsiders joined the students in stone-pelting.[5]

Large number of male students joined their female counterparts in protests and silent march against police violence.[6]

The protests in Benares triggered protests in Delhi.[7]

At the one year anniversary of the protest students organized another protest.[8] The protesters reported that an Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad student group attacked them violently for protesting.[9]

Reactions

Chief Proctor of the university resigned taking moral responsibility.[10]

Prime Minister Modi discussed a response with the chief minister.[11]

Uttar Pradesh Governor called the incident sad.[5]

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recommended better communication as a way to prevent future such protests, and sought a report from the Divisional commissioner.[12][6]

A committee to look into the protest over an alleged harassment was set-up under Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary.[5]

ABVP and NSUI student groups staged demonstrations in New Delhi against police brutality in BHU.[11]

In May 2018, following-up on an inquiry report, the university administration debarred 11 students on charges of vandalism and assault.[13]

The Station House Officer (police station in-charge/SHO) of Lanka police station, the deputy police superintendent, and three additional city magistrates were transferred or removed.[11]

In view of intelligence reports that brutality on BHU students may spark protests in other universities and colleges, campuses were closed momentarily in the district.[11]

References
  1. Mishra, Bishnu (2 October 2017). "Student Protests Have Challenged the Ideological Stagnation of BHU". The Wire (Indian web publication).
  2. "What is the BHU protest? everything you need to know". The Indian Express. 25 September 2017.
  3. Akash, Kumar (25 September 2017). "BHU protest: From 'sexist' rules to unruly force and political mudslinging". Business Standard India.
  4. "BHU protest turns violent: Police lathicharge students protesting against victim shaming". The Indian Express. 24 September 2017.
  5. "BHU protest: What really happened in Banaras Hindu University and why girls wanted to meet Vice Chancellor". The Financial Express. 25 September 2017.
  6. "Why BHU is on the boil and what has brought hundreds of girls on warpath". India Today. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  7. Dikshit, Rajeev (25 September 2017). "Several students injured as BHU protest turns violent". The Times of India.
  8. "BHU Female Students Attacked on Anniversary of Sexual Harassment Protests". NewsClick. 24 September 2018.
  9. Mohan, Siddhant (24 September 2018). "On first anniversary of Banaras Hindu University protests, ABVP workers assault students, journalist". Scroll.in.
  10. "BHU chief proctor resigns, takes 'moral responsibility' for incidents of molestation, violence on campus". Hindustan Times. 27 September 2017. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  11. "BHU violence: Heads roll as PM Modi speaks to CM Adityanath, committee set up to look into incident". www.hindustantimes.com. 25 September 2017. Archived from the original on 18 February 2018.
  12. "BHU students protests highlights: Narendra Modi 'unhappy' over incident, asks UP CM to act against guilty". Firstpost. 27 September 2017.
  13. Dua, Rohan (6 November 2018). "Students who led BHU protest debarred from future courses". The Times of India.
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