'Burdens victims': TNNLU students protest against VC's linking sexual harassment with women wearing shorts

Students of Tamil Nadu National Law University (TNNLU), Trichy, staged a protest today near the administrative block against alleged remarks made by Vice Chancellor V Nagaraj over women’s dressing on campus. As per the students, the VC, during a meeting, said that women wearing shorts “invite sexual harassment” and distract faculty members.

Nagaraj’s remarks during an official class representatives' meeting on April 15 was circulated widely on social media, resulting in the student's agitation on campus.

While, the students’ community has demanded a public apology, retraction of the statement, an institutional inquiry, and an official affirmation that clothing choices do not justify or contribute to harassment. In response, the university said that the protest was conducted on campus without prior permission.

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'VC's remarks normalises harassment on campus'

“We, the student community, unequivocally condemn and categorically reject these remarks. The Vice Chancellor's statements across two institutions signal not an isolated lapse in judgment, but a pattern of institutional conduct that normalises harassment and burdens its victims,” according to an official statement.

In addition, as per the students, Nagaraj has made similar comments in 2018 during a controversy at the NLSIU in Bengaluru, offering no regret or retraction.

“We formally demand a public retraction and apology, an institutional inquiry, and an affirmation that clothing does not contribute to harassment. We call upon fellow NLUs and the legal fraternity at large, to stand with us,” students said.