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Banaras Hindu University women's rights protest

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Banaras Hindu University women's rights protest
DateSeptember 2017
Location

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.

Harassment incident

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

Protests

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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][better source needed]

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

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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

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  1. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b c "BHU protest: What really happened in Banaras Hindu University and why girls wanted to meet Vice Chancellor". The Financial Express. 25 September 2017.
  6. ^ a b "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. ^ a b c d "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.