-Reshma Ravishanker

Mysore University has issued a circular barring female students from visiting the nearby Kukkarahalli lake post 6.30 pm or venturing out in the campus unaccompanied in the wake of the recent gang rape of a female student. Social media was flooded with messages condemning the circular that was signed by the registrar of the university and uploaded by students on social media platforms on August 27. The registrar, R Shivappa states that the circular has been issued following oral instructions given by the police. 

The circular applies to Manasa Gangothri, the postgrad campus of the university which houses three womens’ hostels and 85 PG departments.

A 22-year-old student from Mysore University was gang-raped by a group of men at Chamundi Hills, a popular tourist destination late in the evening on August 24 when she was visiting the place with a friend. According to Karnataka DGP Praveen Sood said that the police has made a few arrests in the case. The suspects have been identified as laborers from Tamil Nadu.

“The university heads have just released this after the police apparently warned the university to keep its girl students safe and not let them venture out post-sunset. It is sad that the police and the university are unable to ensure the safety of women on the campus and rather find it easy to impose restrictions on them,” a widely shared post by one of the students read.

Revathi (name changed), a student responded, “Why is it that a university of such repute cannot even ensure women’s safety? Even in the case of the rape victim, it is not the woman’s fault. She was the one exploited and suppressed. The same is continuing with us. Our freedom has been curtailed.  We come with the assumption that the university will be our second home. We stay put in the hostel, away from our parents. Our classes get over at 6 pm. Even to reach the premises it will take time. Where is the time for ourselves then?”

 Following public ire, the registrar of the university retracted the statement on August 29 and issued a revised circular that advises both male and female students to be cautious after evening  hours.