414 girls in Calicut University complain to Chief Justice

KOZHIKODE: Girl students of Calicut University sent a letter to the Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court on Thursday alleging that sexual violence and harassment were rising on the campus.

The letter, signed by 414 girls as a sequel to the one they sent to the chancellor, Governor P. Sathasivam, the other day, seeks urgent intervention of the court.

“On a campus where more than 80 percent of the students are women, the security and safety of women are given little importance by the authorities,” it says.

Detailing the harassments they faced, it said despite numerous complaints launched with the university authorities and police, no action was taken against them.

Verbal threats, physical violence, insults using obscene language and gestures, teasing in public places and on campus roads, objectionable body exposure and suggestive behaviour were continuing.

“In fact, we are afraid that the authorities themselves are colluding in protecting and sheltering the offenders,” they said, adding they said they were living under the constant threat from the students of certain departments/centres and anti-social elements from outside the campus. “We are unable to pursue our studies or engage in normal day-to-day activities with freedom," they said.

Though there have been many governmental and judicial directions repeatedly urging and instructing the university to put in place comprehensive measures and a system to protect the safety and security of women students, they said, the university was yet to do anything at all.

Meanwhile, the Thenjippalam police registered a case on Thursday on a complaint filed by seven students that a cracker has been thrown at them by two bike-borne students.

Download the all new Deccan Chronicle app for Android and iOS to stay up-to-date with latest headlines and news stories in politics, entertainment, sports, technology, business and much more from India and around the world.