Mangalore University Students Raise Voice Against Atrocities on Women
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (NM)
Mangalore, Jan 7: The students of Mangalore University on Monday January 7 rose in protest against the recent cases of atrocities on women, especially the infamous Delhi gang-rape and allegations within its own campus of research guides seeking sexual favours from students.
Prior to the protest, students marched in unison from the University entrance to Mangala auditorium.
In a five-point memorandum submitted to the vice-chancellor of the University T C Shivashankara Murthy, the students condemned the Delhi gang-rape and sought the implementation of various measures like a stringent anti-rape law, reduction of juvenile age from 18 to 16, probe into allegations against research guides of the University of seeking sexual favours from dalit students, and steps to ensure safety of women students and staff in the campus.
Addressing the protestors, president of students' union Hilson D'Souza condemned the Delhi gang-rape incident and said that appropriate steps must be taken to ensure safety of women in the University campus.
"There should be adequate security around ladies' hostel and street lights should be installed from the hostel to the college. A counselling centre should be set up and a dynamic forum formed to enable women to lodge complaints of harassment," he said.
"A committee must be set up for speedy investigation into allegations against research guides in the campus," he urged.
Nafeesa, a student, said that 'rape is equal to murder' and a strong anti-rape law was the need of the hour to send out this message. "Just because a female is considered soft and meek, she should not be taken for granted. A woman is looked upon as a mother in Indian traidtion. Such atrocities are unacceptable," she said.
"There are many cases where juveniles are involved in crimes. As the present generation is fast maturing, the juvenile age should be brought down from 18 to 16," she added.
The students then met the vice-chancellor and submitted their memorandum on the issue. The VC in his response assured that appropriate steps will be taken to ensure women's safety in the campus and that no untoward incident will be allowed to take place. "No untoward incident has occurred in the University campus, but if it does, strict action will be taken," he assured.
University registrar Dr P S Yedapadithaya was present. Hundreds students took part in the protest.