The accused, identified as Sriram, a 30-year-old man from Uttar Pradesh, was apprehended by the student’s friends and handed over to the Kotturpuram police.
Published Jan 16, 2025 | 12:24 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 16, 2025 | 12:24 PM
Sexual harassment. (iStock)
An incident of sexual harassment has come to light involving a postgraduate student of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, who was harassed by a canteen worker while visiting a tea shop near the campus.
The accused, identified as Sriram, a 30-year-old man from Uttar Pradesh, was apprehended by the student’s friends and handed over to the Kotturpuram police.
The incident, which occurred at a tea shop on Velachery-Taramani Road on Tuesday, 14 January, ignited widespread outrage across Tamil Nadu, with political leaders, student groups, and the general public demanding swift justice and stricter measures to protect women.
The Kotturpuram police confirmed Sriram’s arrest and are interrogating him as part of their investigation. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin addressed the issue in the state Assembly, condemning the act and vowing to prioritise women’s safety.
In an official statement released on Wednesday, 15 January, IIT Madras reported that a female research scholar was allegedly harassed at around 5.30 pm on Tuesday, at a tea shop located outside the campus in the Velachery-Taramani area.
The statement detailed that male students accompanying the scholar, along with members of the public present at the scene, apprehended the accused and alerted the police.
The individual, identified as Sriram, a worker at a nearby bakery with no affiliation to IIT Madras, was subsequently taken into custody by the authorities.
The institute emphasised its commitment to a safe campus, noting the installation of CCTV cameras throughout the premises and the implementation of comprehensive security measures to protect its community members.
Students have been advised to remain vigilant when venturing off-campus. IIT Madras also assured that it is providing all necessary support to the affected student during this time.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from Opposition parties. AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Edappadi K Palaniswami expressed outrage, holding both the IIT administration and the Tamil Nadu government accountable for failing to ensure the safety of women.
“The news of a student being harassed at IIT Madras is deeply shocking. The IIT administration’s inability to guarantee the safety of female students, combined with the DMK government’s failure to curb crimes against women, highlights a distressing reality. Women’s education is pivotal to societal progress, and it is the responsibility of central and state governments, along with educational institutions, to ensure a safe environment for them,” he said in a statement.
Palaniswami further demanded strict legal action against the accused and urged the government to create safer spaces for women across Tamil Nadu.
சென்னை ஐஐடி கேன்டீனில் தேநீர் குடிக்கச் சென்ற மாணவி, பாலியல் தொல்லைக்கு ஆளானதாக வரும் செய்தி அதிர்ச்சியளிக்கிறது.
கல்லூரியில் படிக்கும் மாணவிகளின் பாதுகாப்பை உறுதி செய்யாத சென்னை ஐஐடி நிர்வாகத்திற்கும், பெண்களுக்கு எதிரான குற்றங்கள் சர்வசாதாரணமாக நடக்கும் அச்ச நிலைக்கு…
— Edappadi K Palaniswami – Say No To Drugs & DMK (@EPSTamilNadu) January 15, 2025
The Tamil Nadu government has recently introduced reforms aimed at curbing crimes against women, including harsher penalties for harassment and stalking.
However, critics argue that enforcement remains a challenge.
The state’s efforts to balance the safety of women and the need to preserve their freedom have come under scrutiny following this incident. The incident at IIT Madras has reignited the debate on women’s safety in Tamil Nadu.
While authorities and institutions work toward a resolution, the incident serves as a grim reminder of the vulnerability faced by women, even in spaces associated with higher education.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
