Hyderabad: Demanding justice for the victim of sexual assault on the campus last month, the students of English and Foreign Language University (EFLU) have planned to go on an indefinite hunger strike from 1 pm on Monday, November 6.
This comes following a letter from the Vice-Chancellor on November 3, addressing students about the efforts taken by his office and the administration after the October 18 sexual assault incident.
Stating that they would boycott classes from Monday, the students expressed disappointment over the letter of VC Prof E Suresh Kumar, calling it an attempt to evade accountability.
Calling out the students to protect the university’s image as a premier institution, the V-C said that a few dissident outsiders are waiting for an opportunity to create disturbance in the university.
However, the students opined that the letter was yet another illustration of the administration’s continuing apathy as it addresses none of the students’ concerns. They further said that the letter, released after 17 days of silence was nothing but a was proof of administrative failure.
Condemning the VC’s letter allegedly for suppressing their demand for justice, the students claimed that the varsity’s response to the situation has been characterised by multiple discrepancies and violations of procedures.
“We are profoundly shocked by the several misleading statements made in the VC’s letter, and appalled that this outrageous letter is the sole extent of the administrative response to our legitimate concerns. In this context, we restate our demands,” a statement released by the students said.
Furthermore, parents of the students have that other senior administrative officials have made callous remarks such as terming it a ‘small incident’ and publicly demanding the survivor’s identity before taking any action.
Expressing deep concern regarding the safety of children on the campus, the parents have also reportedly submitted a representation to the VC.
EFLU students demand
- Justice for the survivor of the sexual assault that took place on the campus recently and the arrest of the perpetrators
- Withdrawal of the wrongful FIRs and show cause notices against students
- Reconstitution of the ICC with elected student representatives, strictly by UGC regulations, and without administrative members, especially those who have shown their inability to handle such a case sensitively and responsibly
- Removal of the Proctorial Board, who are anti-student and insensitive. Resignation of the VC, who has overstayed his rightful tenure
- Immediate conduct of Student Union elections. Cessation of surveillance and harassment of students by guards
- Lifting of restrictions on students’ mobility and access to campus spaces.
EFLU protests so far
On October 16, about 300 students held a protest for over 24 hours, demanding the reconstitution of the university’s Sensitisation, Prevention and Redressal of Sexual Harassment (SPARSH) committee.
Students said that the previous SPARSH committee, which was constituted under an EFLU ordinance based on the Sexual Harassment of Women At Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act of 2013, had been defunct since June 2023.
Just a day after the protest, a female student was sexually assaulted on the night of October 18 at around 10 pm, which led to further protests against the administration by students the following night, October 19.
The police have booked 11 students of the university, based on the proctor’s complaint, after the protests on October 19 over the administration’s disregard for the students’ issues, as they demand that the victim’s name be released, rather than conducting a thorough probe into the matter.
However, EFLU has maintained that an investigation is underway, despite, the V-C or the proctor failing to address the students regarding the progress of the investigation.
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