BHU on tenterhooks as another student alleges molestation on campus; accused arrested

Days after the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) reopened after disruption and violence due to students protested against a girl’s molestation, another similar incident was reported from the iconic university. According to media reports, another girl student, on Thursday alleged that she was dragged and slapped in her classroom by a classmate. ANI reported that the girl was allegedly molested by another student on campus. A case has been registered in the Lanka police station and the accused student has been arrested.

Varanasi: Girl files complaint of assault against a fellow BHU classmate. FIR registered, accused arrested. pic.twitter.com/qmiG4hfvtX

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) October 5, 2017

The BHU has been on tenterhooks since 21 September when two motorcycle-borne men groped a fine arts student outside the varsity campus. Despite the presence of security guards on campus, the culprits got away with the crime. This triggered a huge student protest against the university which was accused of negligence over security arrangements of resident students. The students reportedly gheraoed the vice-chancellor’s residence, seeking to meet the authorities over demands of  strengthening security arrangements in the campus. However, the protests turned violent as police lathicharged the students, many of whom were girls. The alleged police excesses and the varsity administration’s failure to strengthen security arrangements on campus evoked widespread condemnation. Several political parties, including the Congress, have come out to support the students and condemn the Uttar Pradesh government’s response and the police crackdown on the students. The Uttar Pradesh government also announced a judicial probe into the alleged police excesses in controlling the student protests. In line of fire after the incident, the then BHU vice-chancellor Girish Chandra Tripathi,  went on an indefinite leave from 2 October citing personal reasons, barely two months before his tenure comes to an end. The controversy also cost the then chief proctor ON Singh  his job, who resigned from his post taking moral responsibility of the incident. BHU registrar Neeraj Tripathi  will be the officiating vice-chancellor in Tripathi’s absence, while Royana Singh of the anatomy department has been appointed the new chief proctor of the university.