The students’ union of the Lady Shri Ram College in Delhi has hit out over the university cancelling regular classes and shifting them to online mode following the alleged rape of a 17-year-old girl at a park nearby, saying the burden of women’s safety “cannot be on women alone”.
Rape accused arrested after encounter
“Women’s safety cannot be addressed only through advisories asking women to be more careful. “After we got to know about the unfortunate incident, we cancelled classes. The college also asked Amar Colony Police Station to increase patrolling in lanes adjoining the campus, particularly near the back gate and parks in the vicinity. Faculty mentors and the college counsellor were also asked to remain available for students who may require support. “…Anywhere outside of it, I cannot say the same. I cannot stand at the nearby bus stop and say that I’m feeling good and safe. I never go to the back gate alone. The Pink Booth nearby is also ineffective. It does not work. Our students’ union has tried a lot to go and tell the police to open it and do patrolling. When the accused was intercepted, he allegedly opened fire at the police team. Despite being directed to surrender, he fired three rounds at the cops. In retaliation, the cops shot the accused in his right leg. Subsequently, he was arrested – and identified as Asif.
All the students of LSR will be holding a protest outside the college campus at the back gate today at 4 PM.
The focus has to be on safer public spaces, reliable last-mile transport, visible policing, accessible reporting mechanisms and timely accountability,” Lady Shri Ram College Students’ Union president Anusha Garg said. The safety, security, and well-being of our students is of paramount importance to us,” LSR principal Kanika K Ahuja said. It said it was in close contact with Delhi Police and was taking measures to strengthen security in and around the campus. “Women’s safety needs to move from generic advisories to location-specific safety audits…Authorities should identify stretches repeatedly flagged by students between campuses, metro stations, bus stops, paying guest accommodations and markets, and assess lighting, visibility, last-mile transport, emergency access and police presence,” she said. But it is all ineffective,” she said. He works at the Okhla Mandi, officials said. A case has been registered under relevant provisions of law, including those of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, police said.
