15 students from BHU join protest in city

Terming their ongoing agitation an outburst of years of untold sufferings, nearly 15 students from the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) joined a protest in the national Capital on Tuesday. They accused the police of indulging in an abrupt baton charge, without making any announcements, on September 21.

Among the protesters was Mineshi Mishra, who was allegedly beaten up by the police. Mishra said that gender sensitisation did not exist on the campus. "Only outsiders will find our Vice-Chancellor Girish Chandra Tripathi's statements bizarre. But, we are used to it," she said, showing bruises on her arms.

Mishra also claimed that the V-C had earlier made statements insulting to women, such as: "Daughters are those who sacrifice their studies for that of their brothers." Also, students rejected the V-C's theory of involvement of "outsiders" in the protest, stating that the CrPC Section 144 was imposed on the entire campus and nobody from outside could have entered the premises.

"The V-C had earlier said that he knew how and what BA students study, and that they do not need any libraries," she added. The protesting students further said since 1996, the BHU student elections have not taken place.