Brave IIT-BHU Student Seeks Refuge at Professor’s House to Escape Harassment
In a distressing incident in Varanasi, an IIT-BHU student found herself in a harrowing situation when she was allegedly molested and stripped by three individuals on a bike. Faced with fear and desperation, the brave student sought refuge at a professor’s house for 20 minutes, hoping to escape the clutches of her assailants.
The respite was short-lived, as the ominous sound of the bike on which the accused were riding prompted her to flee once again, highlighting the pervasive threat and vulnerability that individuals, especially women, face in such distressing circumstances. This incident sheds light on the urgent need for enhanced security measures and awareness to ensure the safety of students and citizens in our communities.
The student, accompanied by a friend, found herself in a troubling situation as they were intercepted by three men on a motorcycle while being outside her hostel. In a distressing turn of events, they forcefully led her to a secluded corner, where she was separated from her friend and silenced with a gag, intensifying the gravity of the situation she was thrust into.
The student, who had been released by her assailants, became alarmed upon hearing the nearby revving of their bike.
Fearing the possibility of being caught and subjected to further harassment, she urgently approached the door of a professor’s house. As the door creaked open, she quickly recounted her harrowing ordeal, seeking assistance and refuge. The compassionate professor ushered her inside, providing a sanctuary where she concealed herself for a tense 20 minutes, protected from the immediate threat looming outside.
Subsequently, the professor took swift action by promptly informing the Parliament Security Committee about the incident. Following this alert, security personnel were mobilised to ensure the student’s safe return to her hostel, emphasising the crucial role that collective efforts play in responding to and addressing such distressing incidents.
The aftermath of the incident has left the student in a state of profound shock, rendering her hesitant to venture outside her hostel. Meanwhile, her friend, who sustained injuries during the scuffle, received immediate first aid treatment, underscoring the importance of addressing both the physical and emotional well-being of those affected by such traumatic events.
The IIT-BHU is situated within the expansive BHU campus, spanning an impressive 1,300 acres (5.3 square km) and standing as one of Asia’s largest residential campuses.
As students voiced their concerns, advocating for improved security measures such as a closed campus, opposition parties directed criticism towards the BJP government, citing concerns about the deteriorating law and order situation. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in a post on X, questioned the safety of female students in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Lok Sabha constituency of Varanasi, pondering whether it was “no longer possible” for them to walk fearlessly within their own educational institution.
‘Admin Blames Girls’: In 2022,
The Bhagat Singh Students Morcha submitted a memorandum to the chief proctors, shedding light on the unsafe conditions prevailing on the campus. The poorly-lit and porous environment, situated amidst a dense population, raised concerns about accessibility for outsiders.
Ipsita, a student affiliated with the BSSM, emphasized that the IIT-BHU incident was not an isolated occurrence, citing frequent cases of sexual harassment every other month, many of which go unreported. She pointed out the administration’s lack of sensitivity towards the issue, highlighting a recurring attitude that tends to place blame on the girls rather than addressing the root causes.
In response to the woman’s complaint
The police have officially confirmed the registration of an FIR under Section 354 (assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and under the relevant provisions of the IT Act at Lanka police station.
Following the incident, IIT-BHU Registrar Rajan Srivastava issued directives to enhance campus security. Barricades around the campus premises are now mandated from 10 pm to 5 am, aiming to create a secure environment for all employees and students of the institute. The security guard on night duty has been instructed to permit only vehicles with BHU stickers and individuals with BHU identity cards to enter the premises, ensuring a stricter control over access.