There is again ferment on campus, as students allege the police is downgrading a case of sexual assault to molestation

On January 18, hundreds of students gathered near the North Gate of Jawaharlal Nehru University to protest against the inaction of Delhi Police in an ‘attempt to rape’ case. This protest was organized by Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU). Amid protests, students were sloganeering against the University administration and they were questioning why the university administration is silent on this issue.

Alok, one of the protesting students and member of the Students’ Federation of India, while talking with Patriot explained the reason behind this protest. “On January 17, around midnight a female student, who is doing her PhD in the University was walking near the Ring Road, which is around two minutes away from the VC’s residence. Suddenly a person came on the motorcycle and dragged the girl to the nursery and tore her clothes; the girl pleaded with the accused but he did not stop. After some minutes, the accused heard the sound of someone coming and escaped from the spot with the smartphone of the victim”.

 “After the incident, JNUSU and security guards and Wardens reached the spot and later an FIR was filed by the victim against an unidentified person in Vasant Kunj Police Station,” he added.

Students from all across the campus, those who have gathered for the protest, started marching towards Vasant Kunj Police Station. While marching, they were sloganeering ‘Sexual harassment ka ek jawab, Inquilab Zindabad’, ‘Sexism ka ek jawab, Inquilab Zinadabad’.

When students reached the gate, Additional Deputy Commissioner of the Police South West Delhi Amit Goel was present with Station In-charge and other officers. He tried to pacify the students and explained to them about the investigation process but students were not satisfied with his answers and many protesting students demanded to know from the officer about result has come from the investigation.

Protesting students later accused the police of downgrading this case into an incident of molestation, not an attempt to rape. Students pressurised the police to know on what basis they have filed the FIR and under what sections they are investigating in the case. 

After a high voltage argument between police and students, police tweeted about the case and students warned that if police will not find the culprit behind this incident, they will intensify their protest in future.

In an official statement, Delhi Police said, “Yesterday, an unfortunate incident with a girl happened inside JNU campus. Considering the gravity and sensitivity of the incident, the SWD police team led by DCP Gaurav Sharma acted promptly and cognizance was immediately taken. In this regard case vide FIR No 42/22 U/s 354A/354B/323/341/379 IPC PS Vasant Kunj North has been registered and investigation is in progress. Several teams are working since then to nab the accused”.

While talking with the Patriot JNU Students Union President Aishe Gosh said, “This is not the first time an incident like this took place inside the campus. From the last one month, incidents of molestation have increased on the campus. The reason behind this deplorable condition is the JNU administration, which is lethargic towards gender sensitization and the administration does not want to seriously understand gender. Their main focus is on blaming the victims through ICC. After scrapping Gender Sensitisation Committee Against Sexual Harassment, the new system of Internal Complaints Committee has destroyed the idea of gender sensitization and gender diversity on campus, after ICC it is witnessed that the University administration has failed to bring a conclusion to cases related to molestation and assault on the campus, it is sad to see there are no representatives from the student in ICC. In this condition, how can we think of a gender-neutral campus?”

“Whenever an incident like this takes place University authority finds an excuse, Cyclops (Security Guard) has always failed to stop incidents like this”, she added.