Sexual Harassment At College Festivals In Delhi: Probe Launched After Repeated Complaints

Days after students of Indraprastha College for Women reported being sexually harassed during their college festival, the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) on Monday stated that it has launched an inquiry into the repeated incidents of sexual harassment towards students during college festivals.

The Chairperson of DCW, Swati Maliwal, summoned the Delhi Police and Delhi University officials to appear before the commission. They have been asked to bring along details of the guidelines and systems that they have built to prevent such harassment incidents from happening in the future.

Sexual Harassment In Delhi Colleges

The statement read that the officials and police had to appear before the commission on April 6, 2023, at 2 p.m. The notice further stated that those who don’t comply would be subjected to the consequences of non-attendance as provided in the law.

In 2020, some men trespassed into the college premises during a college festival and harassed and molested female students of Gargi College. A similar incident occurred during the Diwali celebration at Miranda House when some male students forced their way into the college and harassed the female students.

Recently, on March 25, some men trespassed into Indraprastha College for Women and sexually harassed the students. The boys tried to enter the girls' hostel, and the hostel authorities had to lock up the girls inside, fearing for their safety. Photos and videos of men trespassing into the campus and harassing students were shared on social media by the students. Students questioned why such incidents were repeatedly happening and why the college authorities and the police aren’t taking effective actions to curb this inappropriate behaviour.

"The incident is extremely unfortunate. We’ve seen several cases in the past where female students have been harassed by anti-social elements who forcibly entered the college premises, especially during festivals. I have issued notices to the Delhi University and Delhi Police," said DCW chief Swati Maliwal.

The DCW Chairperson added that the accused must be arrested immediately. She insisted that action be taken against people who were responsible for the lapse of adequate security. She emphasised that both the Delhi University and the Delhi police should work together to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.

The Delhi Commission for Women has also requested a copy of the FIR along with the details of the accused arrested. The commission has further sought details regarding the security arrangements made during the college festival by Delhi police and college authorities.

The commission has sought an explanation for the lapse of security during the college festival. It also required the details of the action taken against the people responsible for the lapse of security. The commission has ordered the college authorities and Delhi police to provide copies of communications made in this regard.

Suggested Reading: Indraprastha College Students Harassed: Can Delhi Ever Be Safe For Women?