Ill health keeps JNU rape victim from recording statement; ABVP slams AISA

The rape of a PhD scholar in Jawaharlal Nehru University hostel has taken a political turn as right wing students’ union ABVP has alleged that the Left leaning student unions are engaged in ‘sexual harassment’ of women students on the campus. 

ABVP also organised a protest march in the campus and burnt the effigy of the All Indian Students Association (AISA). The Right wing students’ body also demanded security of the rape survivor and immediate expulsion of the rape accused from the campus.

“Mere distancing away itself from the culprit will not do justice with the rape survivor; AISA should help the police in nabbing the culprit and expose his previous wrongdoings as well,” said Saket Bahuguna of ABVP. “Usually such culprits indulge in eve-teasings and other forms of violence against women and turn into rapists in later stages. Also, AISA should organise sensitisation 

classes for its leaders so that no new rapist is nurtured by them,” he added. 

The students also protested at the Administrative Block of the University on Monday afternoon and demanded the V-C to constitute a committee to investigate the larger nexus behind recurring offences of rape by AISA ideologue leaders and professors. 

Saurabh Sharma, Joint Secretary of JNUSU said that AISA espoused of women safety principles during polls. But on the other hand, a lot of cases of sexual harassments are coming out committed by their members. We demand them to shed this hypocrisy and really work for safety of women on campuses. ABVP activists from Delhi University also joined the protest against AISA.

Meanwhile, the rape survivor could not appear before the magistrate for recording her statement due to ill health. “She is likely to come for recording of statements on Tuesday. We are conducting raids to nab the culprit,” said a senior police officer.

The University in a statement reiterated its commitment to protect the  dignity of women students on the campus. “Jawaharlal Nehru University always stands for dignity of the individual, respect for women and democratic values. It is in this light that the JNU administration strongly condemns an incident of heinous rape in a hostel in the campus on August 20, 2016,” said a statement of the University.