Absence of communication and apathy from the part of the university administration led to violence on Banaras Hindu University (BHU) campus, stated a preliminary inquiry report sent to the prime minister's office (PMO) and to UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The report said there was no communication between the students and authorities, leading to violence.
A large number of girls were sitting on dharna even before the visit of the prime minister to BHU to protest molestation on the campus, but the university authorities failed to comprehend the gravity of the situation. There was no direct talk between the vice chancellor and agitating students which deteriorated the situation further and led to the subsequent lathi charge.
According to the report, if the BHU and district administration had held a dialogue with the students, the situation would not have turned volatile. The administrative authorities maintained a ‘calculated distance’ from the students.
The PMO had sought a report on the violence from the state government and the CM directed Varanasi divisional commissioner Nitin Gokarn to look into the matter. He was also asked to probe the alleged assault on media persons. The commissioner submitted the report to the state government after the inquiry.
The PMO is keeping a close watch on the developments as Varanasi is the parliamentary constituency of the prime minister.
The report further stated that poor security arrangements in the campus was the cause of the incident.
The university spends around Rs 15 crore per year on the internal security; despite this, violence keep taking place. So far, five major incidents of violence have taken place in the campus. In February 2017, the campus witnessed violence after a student was was beaten up. There was a clash between students and shopkeepers around the campus in the same month.
In April 2017, students of Bharatendu and Rajaram hostels clashed, and subsequently a bullet was fired. In September 2017, there was an incident of stone pelting in the campus. There was another incident of arson and stone pelting in the same month again.
Incidents of eve-teasing are not new to campus and the students have been demanding for long deployment of security guards, installation of CCTVs at hostels and other main locations in the campus, but these demands have fallen in deaf ears.
According to chief proctor O.N Singh, enough police force has been deployed on the campus and atmosphere of university is peaceful at present. Meanwhile, a report in this regard has been sent to National Commission for Women.
