NCW issues letter of protest, asks BHU V-C for explanation

The National Commission of Women (NCW) has issued a letter of protest on the comments of Benaras Hindu University (BHU) Vice-Chancellor Girish Chandra Tripathi when he told a national daily that the administration will not be able to run the university if they were to listen to “every demand of every girl”. 

Condemning the “unfortunate” comments, NCW member Rekha Sharma said that Tripathi needs to explain his comments. “He should carry out a detailed and comprehensive investigation into the allegations of sexual harassment instead of making such comments,” said Sharma. 

“While the government of India is talking of empowering women and working for equality between the sexes, the V-C needs to set a better precedent,” said Sharma. 

She further added that all her efforts were to get in touch with the V-C through the day but he has remained unavailable. “I made several calls to him and his assistant, but there has been no response,” she said. 

A source close to NCW chairperson Lalitha Kumaramangalam said that the NCW is contemplating going ahead with an independent investigation in case the BHU administration does not.