Hyderabad: Students and alumni of the English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) in Hyderabad have written a letter to President Droupadi Murmu, seeking her intervention in the recent incident of a case of sexual assault on campus and the allegations over mishandling of the case. The letter, signed by 459 members of the 'Alumni and Student Collective' accuses the university officials of mismanagement, gross negligence, and insensitivity in dealing with the case of sexual and physical harassment of a female student on October 18.
The document outlines 12 charges against the university officials. According to the students, the University authorities escalated the situation by allowing the police to involve. In the letter, the students urged the President to initiate a formal investigation into the security lapses and dereliction of duty by the administration.
Students' collective have also written to MP from Thiruvananthapuram Shashi Tharoor regarding the recent developments. The collective demanded resignation of Vice-Chancellor, Suresh Kumar, claiming that his term, which was supposed to end in June 2022, was extended till June 2023. As per EFLU regulations, VC's term is five years, extendable for an additional year until a successor is appointed. Records from the university's website indicate that Suresh Kumar has held the position for over six years, raising questions about the extension of his tenure. The students demand resignation of VC and the proctorial board, which is accused of mishandling the sexual assault case and the SPARSH Committee.
Students have also called upon the Centre to ask Vice-Chancellor to withdraw complaints and FIRs filed against protesting students. FIRs have been registered against the students based on the complaint by EFLU Proctor T Samson.
Three MPs from Kerala had written to the UGC and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, urging intervention and an inquiry into the incidents. The National Commission for Women also sought an action report based on the letter, from Telangana DGP Anjani Kumar by Monday.
No arrests have been made in connection with the alleged sexual assault case registered by the Osmania University police or against the 11 students named by the proctor in his complaint.
