Harassment near AMU campus: Women students protest outside VC lodge

ALIGARH: A large number of women medical students of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) are holding a protest outside the vice-chancellor's lodge since Saturday evening, following incidents of harassment outside their hostel.

The protesting students, all residents of Azizunnisa hostel, alleged there has been a spate of incidents in the past three months during which they faced chain snatching and physical harassment while walking to and from the hostel and the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College. Despite repeated complaints, the issues have not been addressed, the students said. They demanded a gate connecting the hostel to the college campus to avoid the long route currently being used.

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AMU's deputy proctor Ali Nawaaz Zaidi said though the students claimed to have faced 20 such incidents, a probe found only "three law and order breaches" in the recent weeks. He said these complaints have been investigated and the police have found the involvement of a mentally challenged person in these cases. Zaidi said the proposal of opening a new gate involves "security issues, but we will review the demand".

According to a recent report, AMU and Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) saw a significant fund allocation cut in the financial year 2021 compared to the previous year. However, the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) funds have been doubled, revealed the education ministry’s response in Lok Sabha.