JNU Student Launches Indefinite Protest Over Handling of Sexual Harassment Allegations

A female student at Jawaharlal Nehru University has initiated an indefinite walkout outside the campus entrance gate, accusing the administration of doing nothing about her accusation of sexual harassment against four individuals.

She claimed that four individuals, including two former students, had harassed her sexually on the evening of March 31 on campus. An investigation into the event has been mandated by the university administration.

Nonetheless, the complainant said that the "perpetrators" of the crime remained at large.

"Since I first submitted the complaint more than 30 hours ago, absolutely nothing has been done. My friends and I have been at the administration, abandoning our courses, demanding justice, and doing all we can, while the offenders are free to walk around," she said. "There have been a lot of formalities."

Meanwhile, the institution claimed to be abiding by the proper procedures. "We are taking our time and according to the proper procedure. We must also give the accused an opportunity to present their defense," JNU Chief Proctor Sudhir Kumar said to PTI.

The complainant also expressed worries about her security and safety while on campus. "It must be known that the person who harassed me and my friend resides in the same hostel as I do, and I am expected to go into the same hostel, the same corridors, the same mess, to face that person who has caused me such mental harassment." The two former students involved in the accusations have been deemed "out-of-bounds from campus," according to a statement made earlier by the head proctor.

The complainant also voiced her dissatisfaction with the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students' Union's (JNUSU) response to the issue, claiming that she saw the JNUSU's inaction and chose to launch her own protest in response.

"I chose to handle the situation on my own after realizing the JNUSU was incompetent. While I and my pals were engaged with administrative procedures, they proceeded to see the proctor without the survivor," she added.

The student requested that one of the accused be placed under immediate constraint from Sabarmati Hostel, that the accused's registration be canceled, that the former students' out-of-bound order be issued, and that actions be taken to guarantee her protection and the safety of her companions.

According to a university official, the alleged event happened at approximately two in the morning when the complainant and a buddy were strolling close to the JNU Ring Road.

Four persons, two of whom were previously graduated students, were reportedly following them in a vehicle. The official said that these individuals had harassed the female student in a sexual manner.

The four persons, including the two former students, are allegedly members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), which is linked with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), according to claims made by the Left-led students' union. However, the ABVP refuted the accusation and said that it was being unfairly singled out.