New Delhi: Within hours of issuing a circular on Saturday, August 28, curbing the movement of female students in and around campus after 6:30 pm, the University of Mysore withdrew the order following backlash from several quarters, The News Minute has reported.
Apparently, the restrictions had been imposed in view of female students’ “safety”, following the recent gang rape in Chamundi Hills, Mysuru’s iconic pilgrim centre and tourist destination. No such restrictions had been placed on male students.
The circular issued by the university registrar had also barred female students from going to Kukkarahalli Lake premises, abutting the university campus, after 6.30 pm. “Security officers should make arrangements to patrol the lake area from 6 pm to 9 pm,” the circular had read.
Additionally, in the university’s Mansa Gangothri premises, female students had also been prevented from sitting alone after 6:30 pm.
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Earlier G. Hemanth Kumar, the university vice-chancellor, had said, ” The order has been issued after the police department raised concern over the safety of girl students in the campus which has lonely places. The guideline has been issued in the interests of the security of female students.”
As for restrictions placed on going to Kukkarahalli lake after dark, Kumar had said the lake premises has thick vegetation like a forest and could potentially turn into hotspots for crime. Hence the order, he had added.
Kumar had said the wording of the circular “may be a problem”, but the message and the intent of the university administration were clear. “In the campus, we wanted to convey to girl students that instead of going alone by themselves, they should go along with their friend. The message’s wordings have gone wrong from the side of the Registrar. I will get it rectified,” he had added.
The August 24 gang-rape of an MBA student in Chamundi Hills has sparked protests across Karnataka. The survivor was allegedly assaulted when she was out with her friend in the evening. According to Araga Jnanendra, Karnataka home minister, five people have been arrested so far in connection with the crime.