New Delhi: Hundreds of students from Delhi University gathered at the Faculty of Arts on Monday evening to protest against concerns over women’s safety, demanding stronger security measures and better protection for women in and around educational institutions.
The demonstration, described by organisers as the third and largest such protest in a week, was held amid heavy rain and was open “strictly for women and queer participants”. Students raised slogans and carried placards calling for safer public spaces and an end to restrictions imposed on women in the name of security.
The protests followed similar demonstrations near Lady Shri Ram College, Gargi College and Kamala Nehru College last week, after a 17-year-old girl was allegedly gangraped at Aastha Kunj Park in South Delhi.
During Monday’s protest, students spoke about incidents and safety concerns not only in Delhi but also in other parts of the country. Several participants said that fear of harassment and violence affects their daily commute and often results in families placing restrictions on their movement.
The recent clashes at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab also featured prominently in conversations among protesters.
Protesters held placards carrying slogans including “Pinjra todna nahi chhodenge”, “Darr ke aage azaadi” and “We should not need a protest to feel safe”. Students said that restricting women’s movement was not a substitute for addressing the causes of crimes against them.
Students highlighted infrastructure-related concerns. Day scholars also described concerns during their daily commute while students from outside Delhi said concerns over women’s safety extend beyond the Capital.
The protesters called for improved lighting and surveillance, safer commuting routes and stronger implementation of existing laws, while opposing measures that they said place the burden of preventing crime primarily on women.
