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Varanasi/ Uttar Pradesh: A student of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, alleged that she was molested by three unidentified assailants in the middle of the campus. She detailed a horrifying narrative where she was forcibly kissed, stripped, and recorded. The incident has sent shockwaves through the student community, prompting thousands to embark on a massive protest demanding heightened security measures.
According to the student, they took her to a nearby place, kissed her forcibly, stripped her and made a video. When she screamed for help, they threatened to kill her. The bike-borne men even held her captive for around 10-15 minutes.
After the incident limelighted, more than 2000 students protested within the campus demanding justice for the victim. According to the reports, the victim pleaded for strictest action against the perpetrators.
Three men on a bullet ambushed an IIT BHU student walking with her male friend in BHU campus, Varanasi. The men forcibly kissed the girl student, undressed and recorded her. She was held captive for 10-15 minutes. Hundreds of students of IIT BHU are now staging protest. pic.twitter.com/UVqTlHhAYc
— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) November 2, 2023
Hundreds of students reached Rajputana Hostel and protested with banners regarding the safety of girl students within the campus.
BHU कैम्पस में छात्रा के साथ छेड़छाड़ के आरोपों के बीच IIT BHU के छात्र धरने पर बैठे, सुरक्षा व्यवस्था पर उठाये सवाल. pic.twitter.com/9oNfWBfrkr
— Utkarsh Singh (@UtkarshSingh_) November 2, 2023
As per the reports, the student has filed an FIR in which she revealed the identity of the accused. The complainant in FIR mentioned, “last night around 1.30 AM, I left for walk and met a male friend at the Gandhi Smriti hostel intersection. We were walking together and when we were 300-400 metres from Karman Baba temple, a motorcycle approached us from behind with 3 men.”
“They shut my mouth tightly and took me to a corner, kissed me forcibly, and took off all my clothes, and recorded photos and videos”, reads the complaint.
After the horrific and traumatizing incident she hid at the residence of a professor, who took the victim to the security officials.
After the alleged assault, the police took immediate action. A case was registered against unidentified people under 354-B (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code and under relevant sections of the Information Technology Act. Now the search is on to bring these criminals to justice. The incident has exposed a deeper issue – the safety of students within the sanctum of educational institutions, a place where security should be a given, not a luxury.
A senior police officer said that several teams have been formed to nab the accused. “we will arrest the accused soon,” said the official.
Holding BHU administration responsible UP Congress on X demands justice.
"वी वांट जस्टिस! वी वांट जस्टिस!"
हाथों में पोस्टर लेकर कैंपस में नारे लगाते ये कोई सड़कछाप लड़के नहीं, IIT-BHU के छात्र हैं।
इनका आरोप है कि आये दिन कैंपस के अंदर लड़कियों के साथ छेड़खानी होती है।
आखिर यह छेड़खानी कौन करता है?
BHU प्रशासन उन पर कार्रवाई क्यों नहीं करता?… pic.twitter.com/9trqPEtWIx
— UP Congress (@INCUttarPradesh) November 2, 2023
The IIT-BHU incident is a sobering reminder of the challenges and dangers that students, especially women, face in educational institutions. The students’ protest reflects their determination to create a safe and inclusive environment for learning.
