Following widespread outrage, Karnataka Higher Education Minister Ashwathnarayanan C N directed the University of Mysore to withdraw the circular prohibiting female students from moving about its campus after 6.30 pm. He said that universities should work towards creating a safe space for girls. He confirmed the withdrawal of the order.
Just days after the gangrape of a student in Mysuru, the university on Saturday had issued the circular.
"In the wake of the tragic incident in Mysuru, I informed VCs to withdraw the order as soon as circular issued by University of Mysore forbidding student movement at university campus after 6.30 pm. Accordingly, it was withdrawn," said Ashwathnarayan.
"All University Chancellors are advised to take safety measures to create safe university campuses. For proper monitoring, security personnel must patrol regularly, all VCs have been directed to take necessary action to maintain law and order," he tweeted.
Vice-Chancellor G Hemanthakumar told IANS, “The order had been issued after the police department raised concerns over the safety of girl students on the campus, which has lonely places. The guideline had been issued in the interest of the security of female students.”
He claimed that the message was "wrongly worded" and will be “rectified”.
On 24 August, a 23-year-old MBA student was allegedly gangraped by four men while her friend was attacked near Chamundi Hills. The Karnataka police arrested five persons, including a juvenile from Tamil Nadu, in Mysuru on 24 August. One of the accused is absconding.
Karnataka Congress questioned the state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders about the delay in arresting the perpetrators.
"Why can't girls walk around the Mysore University campus after 6.30 pm? @BJP4Karnataka Is it a waste to expect protection from the government? Is the Chancellor desperate to find all those who were irresponsible for this? It is not independent of Gandhiji's wish," tweeted Karnataka Congress.
Several people on social media condemned the order, asking why there was no restriction on male students.
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