BHU Vice Chancellor Says Girls Feeling Unsafe on Campus a ‘Rumour’

The only ones feeling scared are members of student bodies like AISA and SFI, BHU’s Girish Chandra Tripathi said.

Students protests at BHU.

(Photo: IANS)

"If force was used on girls, I have no idea."

This was the response of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) Vice Chancellor Girish Chandra Tripathi when questioned about students being lathi-charged at the varsity gates when they were protesting against inaction in a case where a fellow student was allegedly molested on 21 September.

In an exclusive interview with The Indian Express, the VC termed the alleged molestation "very unfortunate", but was of the belief that the "issue was created" and the victim is being used for "political gains.”

Some people with vested interests and ulterior motives have triggered this incident... The Prime Minister was to visit and that’s why, I feel, all this was done.

Girish Chandra Tripathi to <i>The</i> <i>Indian Express</i>

‘Girls Not Scared’

Responding to a query regarding adequate security measures within the campus, the VC claimed that it was a "rumour" that girls feel scared or insecure, and the only ones feeling so "are members of student bodies like AISA and SFI.”

We can ensure their safety in the hostel, that is why there are curfew timings. But, there are no such timings on the road outside, incidents happen... We cannot assign a guard to every student.

Running the university will be impossible if we listen to every demand of every girl, he said, adding “security for boys and girls can never be at par.”