A reported harassment incident near the girls’ hostel at Savitribai Phule Pune University has triggered student protests, administrative action and demands for stronger campus security, including CCTV cameras, better lighting and equal hostel rules for male and female students.
According to a report by Sakal – Pune, two students have been suspended from their academic departments and barred from entering the hostel after allegedly stopping and questioning a female student in the girls’ hostel area. The university administration has also begun the process of filing a complaint against the students at the Chatushringi police station.
The incident was reported to have taken place on Sunday, when two students allegedly entered the girls’ hostel premises after 10.30 pm and behaved improperly with a student. Following the incident, students held a protest in the hostel area on Sunday night. On Monday, a group of students met Vice-Chancellor Dr Suresh Gosavi and sought strict action against those accused.
More than 300 angry students reportedly went to the Chatushringi police station at around 3.30 am, raising concerns over the security arrangements in and around the hostel. The report names Pramod Rathod, Omkar Thore and Vijay Kamble in connection with the complaint alleging misconduct with a student. The university’s immediate suspension action, however, has been reported against two students.
Students have demanded the installation of CCTV cameras and adequate lighting in the hostel area. They also questioned the role of security guards and wardens, and alleged that the hostel head had not been regularly available to understand their concerns. These demands place attention on basic safety infrastructure and the systems used to monitor access to residential campuses after dark.
The students also raised concerns about different rules for male and female residents. They alleged that female students are questioned and their parents are contacted even when they are delayed by a few minutes beyond the hostel’s night-time deadline, while male students are allowed to remain outside until later hours. They demanded that time restrictions and accountability requirements be applied fairly to students of all genders.
Professor Sonia Nagarale, the hostel head, has resigned, according to the report. The university has assigned additional responsibility for the hostel to Dr Geeta Shinde, head of the Department of Education and Extension.
The Vice-Chancellor has appointed a high-level committee to investigate the incident. The university administration said that strict action would be taken against anyone found responsible. The police complaint process and the committee’s inquiry are the next formal steps in determining the facts and the action to follow.
