PATIALA: Students at Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL), Patiala, have been staging a protest after the Vice-Chancellor made an unannounced visit to the girls’ hostel on Sunday evening. The students allege that the VC entered the premises without prior notice or consent and made inappropriate comments about the clothing of female students.
According to the protesting students, the VC claimed that the purpose of his visit was to inspect the mess and address the issue of insufficient accommodation for first-year students. However, the University Guidelines state that the girls’ hostel premises are restricted to female members of the RGNUL community, and even parents are not allowed entry.
“VC did not provide any prior notification of such an inspection to the students or the hostel warden. Consequently, he was not accompanied by any female faculty or guards, until at a later stage when they were informed. The VC entered the rooms of female students, who, unaware of such a visit, were faced with an uncomfortable situation. For instance, one student was questioned by the VC immediately upon returning from a shower, not giving her sufficient time to dress appropriately. Another student questioned him about the reason for his visit and the lack of notification, to which he answered that the girls are like his daughters, and he was not misbehaving with them”, said protesting students’ community RGNUL Patiala in a representation to the Chancellor.
The students further alleged that the VC deviated from the stated purpose of his visit by inspecting the rooms of third-year students instead of focusing on the first years. They also claimed that he made insensitive and inappropriate remarks about the students’ clothing, personal activities, and academic pursuits.
The students claimed that in response to the protest, the VC addressed the students on Sunday evening and then again on Monday evening stating that he considered all female students as his granddaughters and tried to reason his visit.
The protesting students are demanding the immediate resignation of VC, a written unconditional apology, the constitution of the RGNUL Student Bar Association according to the terms of the Mutual Agreement signed on 19th March 2019, and the formation of the Internal Complaints Committee to address the current and future concerns of the RGNUL student community.
The VC could not be contacted for comments however PRO at RGNUL, Ishita Sharma, said, “The university has constituted 9-members committee to address and resolve the grievances of students and the urgent meeting was called at 2.45 PM on Monday in the conference hall to hear the students’ grievances however none of the students or their representatives reached to avail the opportunity of hearing to resolve the grievances amicably. On the recommendation of the committee, keeping in view the safety and welfare of the students, the university shall remain closed with immediate effect till further orders. The willing students are allowed to proceed to their respective homes”.