BHU reopens amid tight security Students want V-C’S service termination
MEASURES Police deploy personnel in plain clothes, check vehicles
VARANASI: Nine days after violence and lathicharge on students protesting against an incident of sexual harassment, the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) reopened after Dussehra break amid tight security on Tuesday.
Station officer of Lanka area Sanjeev Mishra said random checking of vehicles would be carried out and vigil would be maintained on campus. “Strict action will be initiated if anybody tries to disturb peace,” he said.
“I wish peace and normalcy returns at BHU as soon as possible. We are here for studies and any controversy affects students the most,” a student told HT.
Sources said some organisations could hold protests against the lathicharge on students on September 23. The judicial committee constituted by BHU administration to look into the violence and baton-charging began its probe on Monday.
The committee is headed by retired judge of the Allahabad high court, justice VK Dikshit.
DM Yogeshwar Ram Mishra and SSP RK Bhardwaj held a meeting with BHU registrar Neeraj Tripathi, chief proctor Prof Royana Singh, and dean (students’ welfare) Prof MK Singh on Monday to chalk out security plan on the campus.
The SSP said policemen in plain clothes would be deployed at university gates. “Random checking of vehicles will be carried out. Sleuths of intelligence agencies and women cops will also be deployed,” he said. Three quick response teams (QRTS) of university guards will also patrol the campus. As many as 30 surveillance cameras have been installed as part of the security drill. Halogen lights were installed at 15 locations on roads leading to girls’ hostels.
A police team also met the hosteller on Monday who had lodged a complaint of sexual harassment. The police asked the com- plainant about the details of the accused. She reportedly told cops it would not be possible for her to identify the suspects.
Meanwhile, BHU vice-chancellor Girish Chandra Tripathi left for his home citing “personal reasons”, triggering a buzz that his leave could be indefinite. The university administration, however, said he would be back after Dussehra holidays.
Union HRD minister Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday also confirmed that Tripathi has proceeded on leave. “The university has received his application and they have confirmed that he is on indefinite leave,” he said. NEWDELHI: Student leaders of the Banaras Hind University (BHU) on Tuesday demanded the termination of services of the university vice-chancellor, Professor Girish Chandra Tripathi.
Tripathi went on indefinite leave on Monday citing personal reasons.
Having charged the V-C for acting on behalf of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), they also demanded expulsion of the then chief proctor, ON Singh, who they alleged was involved in issuing orders for lathicharge on students. They also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is the Member of Parliament (MP) from Vanarasi, to break his silence on the issue and make a statement as the matter related to the safety of women students.
“We demand i mmediate removal of V-C, Prof GC Tripathi, from his post and ensuring that he is no way reinstated either as V-C or in any other position of responsibility. The act of the V-C going on leave is misleading as he still remains Vice-chancellor and will be able to influence students and all institutions of enquiry that are underway,” said Mineshi Mishra, a student who is part of the joint action committee.
While demanding that a committee be constituted to re-examine all the decisions of appointments taken by Tripathi during his tenure, Mishra said the government should ensure that the appointment of the new V-C was based on merit and not on affiliation to the RSS.
The students, leading the protest against alleged sexual violence and gender injustice, said more than 14 of them were targeted by UP Police, which then charged students of offences under IPC sections that are both cognizable and non bailable.
“We also demand the constitution of an enquiry committee by the BHU administration headed by a retired judge justice Pandit VK Dikshit,” Mishra said.
Other demands included the immediate removal and dismissal of the erstwhile head of proctorial board ON Singh.
“He has stepped down from his position but still remains head of department of ancient history and archaeology and is also a professor. We demand that strict action be taken against him,” said Atul Singh, a student.