University Puts Brakes On Women’s Movement On Campus Here; Education Minister Withdraws Them

Bangalore: Higher education minister of Karnataka, CN Ashwath Narayan directed the University of Mysore (UoM) on Saturday to withdraw its controversial circular that restricted girls’ movement alone on its Manasagangotri campus after 6.30 pm.

“In the wake of the tragic incident in Mysore, I informed VCs to withdraw the order as soon as circular issued by the University of Mysore forbidding student movement at university campus after 6.30 pm. Accordingly, it was withdrawn,” Narayan was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

The minister said this on the sidelines of his visit to review preparations at the Sheshadripuram College’s CET centre here.

Narayan instructed all university vice-chancellors to strengthen the safety measures by installing more CCTV cameras and increase the patrolling within the campuses. “University campuses are normally big, but that does not mean we should curb the movement of girl students on the campuses. Instead, we should work towards creating a safe atmosphere inside the campuses,” he said.

The University of Mysore on Friday restricted the students’ movement on the campus as well as in Kukkarahalli lake after dusk. The circular came into effect after the gang rape of an MBA student at the Chamundi foothills. It barred female students from venturing out on the campus, unaccompanied, after 6.30 pm.

“Security officers should make arrangements to patrol the lake area from 6 pm to 9 pm,” said the circular. “Further, in the Mansa Gangothri premises, it is prohibited for females to sit alone after 6.30 pm. Security personnel will also be deployed for patrolling every day between 6 to 9 pm,” the circular added.

The notice triggered a huge controversy, which prompted vice-chancellor, G Hemantha Kumar to immediately defend it. “The order has been issued after the police department raised concern over the safety of girl students in the campus which has lonely places. The guideline has been issued in the interests of the security of female students,” the V-C was quoted as saying.

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