EFLU student sexually assaulted on campus days after protest to reconstitute anti-sexual harassment committee

The incident sparked fresh rounds of protests in the EFLU, with the students said to have begun their agitation as early as 4 am on Thursday.

The incident came on the heels of the EFLU Student’s Collective and its Coordination Committee holding a 26-hour protest demanding the reconstitution of its anti-sexual harassment SPARSH (Sensitisation, Prevention, and Redressal of Sexual Harassment) committee.

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EFLU student sexually harassed

As per the protesters, a student was “sexually and physically assaulted” near the old health centre area by two men.

“She was subsequently found unconscious by two other students. The perpetrators apparently told her explicitly that they saw her on the frontlines of the previous protest,” a student told South First on the condition of anonymity.

Students protesting over a sexual assault incident at the EFLU. (Supplied)

She was then taken to the health centre for initial treatment.

“The survivor said the health centre officials not only treated this matter with insensitivity but also discouraged any attempts from our end to make the incident public,” the aforementioned student said.

In a statement, the survivor said she went for a walk when two men pulled her hair from behind before dragging her towards the old health centre.

“One man was tall and muscular and the other was of medium height. Both were wearing dark hoodies. They said ‘saw you today’ and ‘this should not happen’. I think they meant the protest (regarding reconstitution of the SPARSH committee) on campus,” she said.

P Anjaneyulu, the station house officer (SHO) of the Osmania University Police Station, told South First, “We have registered a case based on the complaint of the victim. Her medical examination has also been conducted. We are now identifying the suspects.”

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V-C, proctor’s resignation sought

One of the protesting students told South First, “Such an incident amidst our protest for seeking the anti-sexual harassment committee highlights the importance of our demand.”

The students also said the incident was a security lapse by the EFLU administration. “Guards are posted at all the gates of the university and entry is allowed only to those with official ID cards. Despite the ID cards, the guards make it difficult even for some day scholars to enter the campus.”

A ‘no excuse for abuse’ banner at the EFLU. (Supplied)

They also alleged that the CCTV cameras on the university campus which would have helped in identifying the perpetrators were not functioning.

“The CCTV cameras are only for surveillance and not for students’ safety,” they claimed.

Apart from demanding the arrest of the suspects, the students claimed that the incident occurred due to the “consistent incompetence” of the administration.

“We, the student community, do not consider this administration capable of executing the responsibilities vested in them. Hence we require their immediate resignation of the Proctorial Board and the vice chancellor.”

The students appealed to the faculty for support and asked them to boycott all the classes and administrative work.

South First tried to reach out to the EFLU proctor but the calls went unanswered.

However, the college’s public relations officer (PRO), in a statement, acknowledged the incident and the fact that the police were investigating the case.

“The university officials immediately responded to the incident and have been actively taking the necessary steps, including informing the police,” said the PRO in the statement.

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The SPARSH committee protest

As per the students, the protest regarding the SPARSH panel came in the wake of several meetings with the administration regarding the reconstitution of the committee that was established in 2014 under the EFLU Ordinance 66 and was based on the 2013 Protection of Women from Sexual Harassment Act.

The students, who protested overnight on 16 October night, alleged that the EFLU administration had not made any information public regarding the SPARSH committee’s members.

EFLU students protested outside the administrative building on 17 October. (Supplied)

“The SPARSH committee has been essentially inactive since June. The committee is for the safety of the people who face a lot of incidents of sexual harassment, be it from students, the faculty, or the non-teaching staff,” a PhD student, who is also a member of the EFLU Student’s Collective, told South First earlier on the condition of anonymity.

The students alleged that the varsity selected representatives in an undemocratic manner and was also disregarding UGC guidelines.

The students had demanded:

• The immediate conducting of democratic elections for the three student representatives,
• Conducting SPARSH committee elections before or alongside the Student Union elections, which are scheduled to take place in November, and
• The reservation of one seat for a student from the LGBTQIA+ community, one seat for a female student, and one for a general student.

The varsity management reportedly met the students with an olive branch on the night of 17 October, but it did not lead to a resolution.

“They have given verbal assurances that it will happen alongside the general student union elections, scheduled for next month. They have also not acknowledged the demand for LGBTQIA+ and student representation,” a student told South First earlier.

The protest was later called off the students decided to convene a general body meeting before coming to any decision.

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