DCW urges PM Modi to ensure safety of female students on campus

New Delhi [India] September 28, (ANI): Post the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) row, the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure safety of female students on campus.

The DCW Chief Swati Maliwal in a letter to Prime Minister Modi asserted that "'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' campaign cannot be a success if gender based security concern prevails on campus and hostel - an area that is considered to be a safe haven for burgeoning students who come from villages and far off places in pursuit of education".

"The incident was not only traumatising but it also highlighted the callousness of the administration over such impetus concern. Girls face eve teasing and groping on campus regularly. Even after several complaints, the administration did not take action against the miscreants. To make their voices heard, the girls protested and were baton-charge by the police. The shivering incident injured several innocent young girls,"

the letter read.

"Sexual harassment and discrimination against girls is not limited to the BHU campus. Such practices are prevalent in prestigious colleges in the Capital as well. In the last one week, security of girls in two colleges of the Delhi University has been brought to limelight. Around 500 students of Ambedkar College went to the police station demanding for safe and secure campus for girls where eve teasing and groping was a regular occurrence. At Khalsa College, some boys tried to forcibly enter the college's girl's hostel," the letter added.

The letter demanded the following:

- Banaras Hindu University (BHU) vice chancellor (VC) should be terminated for baton-charge on girls and strict action should be taken against him. Girls at BHU campus and hostels should be provided security.

-Discrimination in hostel timing for boys and girls should end, not only in hostels in Delhi but entire country. National Policy should be drafted on the same.

-Fee disparity should end in girls' hostel of Hindu College as well as other hostels in the country.

-Police should ensure security of girls on campus and hostel.

- University or College administration should be made accountable for any mishap or harassment of girls on campus or college. (ANI)