Media Release

Bengaluru, Aug 31: In response to the recent case of a Kolkata doctor who was sexually assaulted and murdered, and the increasing incidents of gender-based violence across the country, St Joseph’s University, Shift III, organized a silent protest and candlelight vigil on August 27. This event, held on the university campus, was a poignant tribute to the victims of sexual violence.

The protest, coordinated by NSS unit 5 led by programme officer Mahesh DK, saw the participation of about 1,800 students and staff. Highlighting the staggering NCRB 2023 statistics, which reveal 4,45,256 reported crimes against women in 2022 almost one every minute assistant programme officer of NSS unit 5, Dr Chandni Bhambhani delivered a compelling speech.

She emphasized that these figures represent only reported incidents, hinting at the vast, unreported crisis of gender-based violence. Connecting the statistics with narratives of gender-based violence from childhood through to professional environments, she urged the audience to face uncomfortable realities. She asked, "When the media coverage fades, why do we retreat into our comfort zones after protests and outrage?" She called for ongoing, active advocacy and systemic reforms to improve safety and justice for everyone.

Students demonstrated their solidarity by holding placards, delivering impactful speeches, and performing a skit. The skit focused on raising awareness about sexual harassment in public spaces, critiqued its normalization, and stressed the importance of collective action to address the issue.

Students and the staff were also joined by the management of the university, including the vice- chancellor Dr Victor Lobo SJ, and director of shift III, Fr Francis Pinto SJ.

This gathering underscored the university community's commitment to addressing gender-based violence and advocating for a safer, more just society.