DUTA PRESS RELEASE: 11.02.2020

The DUTA condemns the perpetrators of mass sexual assault and abuse of women in Gargi College, as has been reported to have taken place through the afternoon and evening of February 6, 2020.

The DUTA is shocked that the breaches of peace, violation of law and order and abuse of female students in their own campus has been acknowledged so late, after over three days of its having taken place. Criminal unwillingness on the part of the officiating college principal to accept security lapses and act swiftly against the riotous men who forced entry into the college campus,  molested and abused women students in the presence of the Delhi Police, is to blame for this unacceptable delay. However, the deterioration of safety norms and protocols and the Delhi University’s tacit refusal to act against politically backed assailants and intruders has also encouraged people to attack students with impunity. It is condemnable that the ICC of the institution has not taken pro-active cognizance of the matter to ensure justice is done. These are reflections of the disarray caused in the university due to scant regard for upholding institutional processes that ensure a free and just working environment for all stakeholders. It is condemnable that the DU VC has not given a single statement against the violence and has not deemed it fit to address the concerns of the Gargi college students and teachers, so far.

The DUTA reserves special scorn for the Delhi Police which seems to have lately turned into a perverse and tacit sympathiser of mobs that use political slogans to subvert law, endanger public safety and attack women and students.

The DUTA stands in solidarity with the courageous students of Gargi College who have retaliated with a spontaneous movement against the mob attack and forced college authorities and police to start a probe against the violent incidents reported on the last day of the College Festival ‘Reverie’ i.e. February 6. It applauds the students and teachers who refused to let the matter rest even as the officiating principal resorted to denial and victim-shaming. Their joint movement for justice sets an example for all who are being intimidated into accepting such assaults against students in academic campuses as a new normal. 

The DUTA has learned that at least some of the men who gained unauthorised entry into the campus and who may be responsible for the violence against the women students were part of an election campaign rally which had been allowed to pass by on the road that has two women’s colleges i.e. Gargi and Kamla Nehru. The Delhi Police’s shocking decision to allow a sensitive political rally through this route when it was aware of the Gargi College fest is proof of its inability to respect the sanctity of academic campuses. The Police Commissioner needs to explain this insensitivity.

The DUTA demands suo motto action against the officiating principal and the intervention of the University Administration to ensure that the students’ demands for justice are met and prompt steps are taken to ensure safety of college campuses.