BHU students protests highlights: Narendra Modi 'unhappy' over incident, asks UP CM to act against guilty

Varsity is now a rehabilitation centre for incompetent, lumpen legatees of academic dons

There was something eclectic about the Banaras Hindu University. As one crossed the gates, the sprawling campus came in view, representing a microcosm of the entire universe of education. Driving from the Sir Sunderlal hospital to the IIT and dairy farms at the end of the university, one would simply marvel at the genius of the man who founded it – Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya.

But the recent episode alleged sexual harassment followed by girl students’ protests, subsequent use of force against them and its brazen justification by vice-chancellor Girish Chandra Tripathi confirm the fear that there is something deeply rotten in the BHU. It has been rotting there for decades and has only now exposed itself in the most virulent form.

Read Ajay Singh’s opinion piece here

Yogi Adityanath suggests better communication to avoid BHU-like incidents

Yogi Adityanath suggested better communication between students and vice chancellors of central universities to prevent BHU-like incidents. On alleged baton-charge on journalists, he said action will be taken immediately after getting the final report. – PTI

Timely communication with protesting girls could have prevented violence: Official report

A high-level official report noted that proper and timely communication with prptesting girl students by the BHU administration could have prevented the problem from escalating, The Times of India reported.

The official asked to investigate the matter said that university authorities did not deal sensitively with the complaint of the girl who was molested.

Prima facie probe suggest role of anti-social elements: Yogi Adityanath

Yogi Adityanath said the recent incidents in the Banaras Hindu University smacked of a “conspiracy” as prima facie reports suggest the role of anti-social elements. He told reporters that those involved in spreading anarchy on the campus will not be spared at any cost.

“Prima facie investigation suggests it is a conspiracy by anti-social elements,” he said. The chief minister said the proctorial board of the university should have taken timely measures to ensure that the trouble did not escalate. – PTI

Samajwadi Party workers hold sit-in in Varanasi

Samajwadi Party workers raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and over 200 party workers were detained while they were going to meet the injured students.

Samajwadi Party’s state spokesperson Manoj Rai Dhoopchandi said a special committee comprising senior party leaders was heading to BHU to meet the injured students.

UP universities report most cases of sexual harassment: UGC data

According to Hindustan Times, data collected by the University Grants Commission between April 1, 2016 and March 31, 2017 shows that one in every four alleged cases of sexual harassment in India’s universities come from colleges in Uttar Pradesh

BHU failing women students with its ‘paternal’ and sexist policies

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Each of the 18 hostels run for women at the university has a separate curfew. Some hostels close at 6:00 pm, others which are more lax stay, open till 8 pm. Visitors staying late are required to fill in paperwork and students who stay out late have to deal with authorities ringing up their parents.

These measures are ostensibly in place to ensure that women are safe on campus. But safety measures cannot take away their right to access education on the same footing as men. After all, a university’s aim is to educate.

Read the entire article here

UP govt accuses Opposition of trying to vitiate academic atmosphere

Uttar Pradesh government spokesperson Srikant Sharma accused the Opposition parties of trying to vitiate the academic atmosphere. “If they wish to do politics, they should do it with us and not with students. They should keep away from holding agitations in campuses,” he said.

Retired Allahabad HC judge to probe BHU violence

V-C Tripathi ordered an inquiry into the incident and nominated retired Allahabad High Court judge to probe the incident. Earlier, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had also ordered a judicial probe.

#BHU admin nominates retired #Allahabad HC Judge Justice #VKDixit to probe into recent series of incidents during students’ agitation.

— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) September 27, 2017

Youth Congress holds protests against lathi-charge at BHU

The Youth Congress members staged a protest against the police action on students of BHU. “Where on one hand the BJP government spent crores of rupees on Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and on the other, reality on ground level is completely opposite. Last night in BHU, female students were attacked by armed police forces. They pushed them, shoved them around and attacked them with sticks. The students had head and body injuries,” the Youth Congress said in a statement.

A girl student of BHU recounts the horror of violence

While talking to Hindustan Times, a girl student oh BHU said, “the violence has pained us and its scars will stay on our minds forever. What is more painful is that action is yet to be taken against the accused involved in sexual harassment of the BHU student.”

NHRC issues notice to V-C Tripathi, Uttar Pradesh government

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government and the BHU vice-chancellor over alleged inaction on “complaints of eve-teasing” on the campus, and the police action against the students, who were protesting over the issue.

The NHRC said it has taken cognisance of media reports about alleged inaction on the part of the Banaras Hindu University authorities on a “complaint of eve-teasing and subsequent use of unwarranted manhandling and thrashing of agitating students, mostly women, by the Uttar Pradesh Police”. – PTI

BHU chief proctor takes moral responsibility, resigns

#NewsAlert -- BHU Chief Proctor ON Singh has resigned. Claims to have stepped down on moral grounds pic.twitter.com/guxqqnrdi0

— News18 (@CNNnews18) September 27, 2017

Watch: A teacher injured in clashes narrates her story

In Pictures: Students of Uday Pratap college protesting at Varanasi district headquarters

After police lathicharge at BHU, many fall for a fake image not related to the incident

Amid massive outrage against the varsity administration, many images of injured students were shared on social media users. However, a fake image too found it’s way into the news stream. An image showing a young woman badly injured was shared by several people including Prashant Bhushan, Sanjay Singh, Ashok Gehlot, Mrinal Pandey and Swati Chaturvedi, to name a few. However, as AltNews  pointed out, the image was from a different time and location which was being used out of context.  

Image on the left is being shared as a victim of lathi-charge in BHU. In reality, she was attacked reportedly because of a one-sided affair. pic.twitter.com/t6nNf1ecC4

— Alt News (@AltNews) September 24, 2017

AAP leader Ashutosh condemns BHU violence

Now BJP leaders are saying BHU girls protest is like naxalite thing. How sick one can be ? Typical of their ideology ? Not surprised !!

— ashutosh (@ashutosh83B) September 25, 2017

How many eve teasers in BHU r arrested or detained?How many FIRs registered ag such male students?It is sick.FIRs registered ag 1200 girls.

— ashutosh (@ashutosh83B) September 25, 2017

Subramanian Swamy claims Naxal-hand behind BHU violence

UP CM Yogi Adityanath has taken the right decision, this looks like a Naxalite Movement:@Swamy39 on BHU protests #BHUClash pic.twitter.com/nesWwWJ6SN

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) September 25, 2017

FIR against 1000 students for BHU violence

An FIR has been registered against over 1,000 students in connection with the violence in the Banaras Hindu University here and also against policemen involved in the baton-charge on protestors.

Seperate FIRs have been registered at the Lanka Police Station in connection with the violence on the campus, the police said on Monday. Besides the students, an FIR has been filed against unidentified policemen involved in the baton-charge.

Sack VC, set up a probe, says Congress

The Congress today hit out at the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh over a lathi-charge on women students of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and demanded the immediate sacking of the vice chancellor and a judicial probe by a sitting High Court judge into the incident. 

Describing the VC as “incorrigible” and “insensitive”, Congress leader Manish Tewari asked Modi if such a person could head an institute of academic excellence like the BHU.

Congress leader Ashok Gehlot questions Modi’s silence on BHU violence 

PM has not said a word abt this atrocity committed in his own constituency, wch also coincided wd his visit n in a State ruled by BJP. #BHU

— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) September 25, 2017

Varanasi DM to meet students who claim to have evidence of police brutality

Varansi District Magistrate has called few students of MA first year to meet him. The students claimed they have some evidence against the brutality of police in women’s hostel.

V-C blames outsiders for BHU violence, claims pre-planned conspiracy behind incident

The Vice-Chancellor of BHU GC Tripathi spoke to  The Times of India  about the incident. The V-C told the newspaper that the timing of the stir raises some suspicion. He said that protesting students wanted to talk to him at the university gate just when the prime minister’s cavalcade was to pass from the area. 

“The protestors demanded talks with me at the main gate before PM Narendra Modi’s cavalcade was to pass. Had I visited there at that time, the protesters could have created unruly scene. The protestors became further active after the change in route of the PM’s cavalcade,” he said.

Congress question’s Modi’s silence on BHU violence

Congress party questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on the BHU incident, asking that as the local MP, shouldn’t the prime minister at least comment on the incident. Congress spokesperson, Manish Tewari said that Modi was quite vocal on twitter over a range of issues, then why hasn’t he commented on the brutal action against female students in his Lok Sabha constituency.

BBC Hindi’s satirical take at BHU violence

CARTOON OF THE DAY: बीएचयू में प्रदर्शन कर रहीं छात्राओं पर लाठीचार्ज और नया नारा! #BBCHindiCartoons https://t.co/1k5ygsDsol pic.twitter.com/SQqWFbEk0E

— BBC News Hindi (@BBCHindi) September 25, 2017

BHU female students allege, warden told them to ‘forget’ molestation incident

The warden of BHU women’s hostel, apparently told the victims of molestation to “forget about the incident” claiming it’s no big deal, according to Hindustan .

PM Modi and BJP president Amit Shah have talked to UP CM Adityanath over BHU incident: Nitin Gadkari pic.twitter.com/o0IXYmPXbt

— ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2017

Mayawati condemns violence against female students at BHU campus

Narendra Modi, Amit Shah speak to Yogi Adityanath over varsity violence

On the sidelines of BJP’s national executive meet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP national president Amit Shah spoke to UP CM Yogi Adityanath about the violence in BHU campus. Modi sought update from the chief minister over the issue.

Students protest at UP Bhawan in Delhi in solidarity with BHU students

#bhu_molestation दिल्ली-यूपी भवन पर छात्रों का प्रदर्शन,BHU की घटना के विरोध में उतरे छात्र,दिल्ली यूनिवर्सिटी समेत कई कॉलेजों के हैं छात्र

— News18 Uttar Pradesh (@News18UP) September 25, 2017

Rajasthan AAP student wing protests against BHU violence in Jaipur

#BHUClash

Protest by CYSS RJ Students against BHU Incident in Jaipur Today.
CYSSRJ DrKumarVishwas https://t.co/jvTC3K7lua

— Media (@MediaSuffer) September 25, 2017

Congress leader Raj Babbar detained

Congress leader Raj Babbar, who had gone to meet the students at the violence-hit BHU campus was detained by the Varanasi Police.

Watch: Students from Jawaharlal Nehru University and Delhi University protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi 

#BHUClash : Students from Jawaharlal Nehru University and Delhi University protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi pic.twitter.com/Uhg4HbThO3

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) September 25, 2017

V-C promises CCTV cameras, improved security at varsity

Varanasi SSP orders BHU administration to change dress of varsity security officials

Varanasi SSP has written a letter to the BHU administration ordering them to change the dress of BHU security officials, which is similar to the dress of Uttar Pradesh police, within 24 hours. 

BHU V-C takes responsibility for campus violence, rubbishes allegations of imposing RSS agenda in varsity

According to  The Times of India , Banaras Hindu University’s Vice-Chancellor GC Tripathi said that he takes responsibility for the “untoward incidents” on the campus. However, he blamed external elements, apart from 150-200 varsity students for fanning the violence. He also rubbished claims that he was trying to impose RSS agenda in the university. 

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Activist Teesta Setalvad detained while heading to BHU campus

Activist Teesta Setalvad was prevented by the district administration from visiting the volatile BHU-campus. She was taken to the police lines station while she was enroute BHU campus from the airport.

All BHU-affiliated degree colleges to remain closed until 2 October

Varanasi administration has announced that due to the violence on campus, all degree colleges adn universities in the city will remain closed until 2 October.

Students in Delhi protest BHU violence

Delhi University students led by the Congress student wing, NSUI, on Monday held protests in the capital to condemn police action against some female students who were demonstrating against alleged molestation on the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) campus in Varanasi.

The Delhi students critcised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for failing to protect female students on the BHU campus after police baton-charged them and fired in the air on Saturday night.

UP governor sets up four-member committee to probe BHU incident

Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Nayak has set up a four-member committee to probe the BHU incident. The committee will be headed by the UP Chief Secretary and will probe the alleged excesses committed by the police and also allegations that external elements fanned up the protests.

Police stops more protesters 

Members of All India Democratic Women Association were stopped by the police while protesting in front of Singh Dwar of BHU, according to 101 Reporters

Samajwadi party leaders arrested

Leaders of the Samajwadi party who were attempting to stage a protest march outside a BHU gate have been detained by the police at Lanka Police Station.

Students at Allahabad University also join the protests. A few members of Samajwadi Chatrasabha are also present, 101 Reporters reports.

Ghulam Nabi Azad reaches Varanasi to address a press conference regarding the BHU protests

Police forcefully evicts protesters in New Delhi

#BHUClash : ABVP workers protest outside Shastri Bhawan in Delhi, being forcefully evicted by Police pic.twitter.com/aPPuKk0qaS

— ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2017

The main gate of BHU has been closed amid protests; police cites security reasons

Raj Babbar, Ghulam Nabi Azad to hold presser in Varanasi today

Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Raj Babbar , who were arrested by the police on Sunday, are expected to hold the press conference later in the day, reports 101 Reporters.

UP govt removed 3 Addl City Magistrates

Earlier on Monday, the Uttar Pradesh government removed three additional city magistrates and two policemen in connection with the baton-charge on students during the protest in BHU.

Read more here

Girls aren’t safe in BHU: Mulayam

Former UP chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav said in Lucknow that girls are not safe in BHU , and the state government failed in providing security to the girls. 

Read more about his speech here

The recommendations by Varanasi’s district magistrate include:

1. Forming a committee along the courts’ guidelines — which will also include students — to take up issues troubling students of the university

2. Installing CCTV cameras across the campus, especially at entrances of women’s hostels

3. Employ female security personnel for protection of girl students

4. To ensure people inside the university campus actually belong to the institution

5. Continuous and comprehensive communication with students regarding issues they are facing

Varanasi district magistrate Yogeshwar Ram Mishra writes a letter to the BHU vice-chancellor with a list of recommendations after what transpired in the university over the weekend

Security has been beefed up on Monday at the BHU campus following widespread protests

Students in New Delhi are also protesting against police action in BHU, CNN-News 18 reports

BHU protests spread to Delhi pic.twitter.com/uvj5tsgPzf

— News18 (@CNNnews18) September 25, 2017

Varanasi Police confirms the filing of FIRs against the BHU students in Lanka police station

#BanarasHinduUniversity SSP office in Varanasi confirms FIR against 1000 BHU students in Lanka police station for arson and other charges

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) September 25, 2017