Exclusive: NIT Tiruchy Students Reveal Details Of Assault, Shaming & Negligence

On August 29, the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Tiruchirappalli, was shaken to its core when a technician sexually assaulted a student in her own hostel room. The outrage grew when the administration's response was to blame the survivor, not address the security failure. What began as a protest against this grave injustice swiftly transformed into full-blown campus upheaval, revealing deep frustrations and systemic failures within the institution.

Assault, Shaming & Negligence - NIT Tiruchy Students Reveal Details

In an exclusive conversation with SheThePeople, two students shared firsthand accounts and revealed the details of the protest, the administration's alarming response, and the ongoing fallout from this harrowing incident.

Anju (name changed), a 25-year-old student who wishes to remain anonymous due to ongoing placement concerns, recounted that the issue was "well hidden" from the students. "The unfortunate incident happened around 10 AM on August 29, and we only learned about it after 4 PM that same day. We were initially stunned when we learned about the incident. It could have been any one of us, and that realisation was overwhelming," she revealed.

Kotravai (pen name), a 23-year-old newly admitted PG student, shared, "The survivor’s parents were deeply distressed as they witnessed their daughter being slut-shamed by someone they respect and refer to as 'sir'. However, the girl, who initially wished to remain anonymous, found the courage to address the protest and stand up for herself."

Moreover, both students claimed that the main cause of the protest was the administration's failure to ensure proper security measures as the warden and steward allowed a male technician into the women’s hostel room. On top of that, they blamed the student and character assassinated her. 

Students Speak Out: Firsthand Accounts Of The Protest

The protest began on August 29 when friends of the assault survivor and their peers gathered at Opal-A Hostel, skipping roll call at 9:15 PM and being denied sign-in. As news spread, students from other hostel blocks joined in. When the administration ignored their initial protest, they escalated by marching to the Opal hostel gate around midnight. The protest, supported by male students, forced the deans and director to address the situation at 4 AM on August 30.  

Anju shared that the atmosphere on campus during the protest was described as one of shock and intense frustration. Kotravai noted, "The wardens slut-shamed her for her clothes, which were actually appropriate by their own standards. They blamed her in a comical manner. We wanted the wardens Maheshwari, Baby, and Shameedha Begum, as well as the steward of Opal A, to apologise and be dismissed from their positions."

She also revealed that during the protests, management representatives attempted to manipulate the situation, warning the girls, "If you keep protesting here inside the hostel gate, the boys outside will jump in." Kotravai remarked on the management's manipulative tactics, stating, "The management was very manipulative since the issue garnered social media attention."

Concerns Over Warden’s Past Behaviour

Addressing the warden's behaviour, Anju revealed that the abusive comments were part of a troubling pattern, "These wardens have a history of character assassination against female students over the smallest issues, so it wasn’t surprising when we heard such comments. What truly concerns everyone is the administration’s nonchalant attitude."

Kotravai further recounted, "Warden 'Baby' used to preach to the inmates about wearing fully covering clothes and would mock those who didn’t adhere, calling them derogatory names."

"There were also serious instances where wardens ignored safety complaints from students, never admitted their mistakes, and instead told the inmates to ‘shut up’ and conform to being a ‘proper woman’—one who is quiet, compliant, and ‘doesn’t ask for it.’”

Anju highlighted past incidents of sexual misconduct, including a widely reported rape case in 2019, "There was an alleged report of rape of a girl student inside the campus by an unidentified male worker in 2019." Kotravai also confirmed Anju's claims, "Not only 2-3 cases of sexual misconduct; the female PhD scholars have been continuously harassed, and when anyone tries to report it, the management demands their guide’s name and pressures them to withdraw the case. This is happening on a weekly basis. The management is fully aware of this but chooses to ignore it to protect the institution’s reputation and credibility."

Disappointment With Institutional's Handling Of Situation

"The administration took no substantial action or made any improvements to safety measures, instead opting to impose harsh restrictions."- Anju 

“The first representative came only after 6 hours. The response timing was terrible and concerning, like, how could they not attend and address the situation as soon as the protest started?” - Kotravai 

Impact On Women’s Freedom 

When asked about the impact of such incidents on a woman’s freedom in her own living space, Anju expressed frustration, "Our parents are supportive but deeply worried about our well-being. The college’s failure to ensure our safety has left us feeling abandoned and fearful." Whereas Kotravai said, "More than just fear, we were appalled by the administration's lack of responsiveness. It is not a woman’s duty to ensure her safety; it’s the institution’s responsibility to protect everyone."

In the aftermath of the protest, Kotravai and Ajnu also revealed the current state of affairs. "For now, things will remain this way, and everyone is on their own for their safety because the college has let us down," said Anju.

Kotravai shared, "Survivors and friends were told that the whole hostel might lose network and water access due to the protest, with threats from the warden and steward. The administration is now using it as a bargaining chip. They are not taking preventive measures against such crimes but are instead intent on sweeping the issue under the rug."

The students’ accounts underscore the urgent need for systemic change and accountability within educational institutions to protect students and address grievances effectively.