Punjab Govt Summons Report On Students Protest Against RGUNL VC For Invading Privacy, Sexist Remarks

Patiala: Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGUNL) will remain closed until further orders amid the ongoing student protest against the vice-chancellor, Jai Shankar Singh. The authorities issued the order on Monday and asked all students to return home. This comes a day after students staged a massive sit-in protest against the VC for allegedly invading the privacy of female students inside the hostel in the name of ‘surprise inspection’ and making sexist remarks. Students are demanding the resignation of the VC.

Following the protests, the education minister of Punjab , Harjot Singh Bains said that the higher education department has summoned a report from the registrar of the RGUNL, Patiala regarding the protests. "I assure the students that justice will be done", the education minister tweeted. 

What is the controversy all about? 

On September 22, the VC allegedly entered the girls' hostel without prior notice, where even parents are not allowed to enter, and questioned their clothing choices. They alleged that he made ‘sexist remarks’ and inappropriate comments about the girls' appearance. The VC said that it was a ‘surprise inspection’ after he got complaints that some girls smoked inside the hostel. Moreover, he was not accompanied by any female staff or warden. 

The students have also written a letter to the Chief Justice of India and the Bar Association, demanding action. The registrar Prof. Anand Pawar constituted a 9-member committee to resolve their grievances and called the students for a dialogue on Monday but none of them turned up. The students demand the immediate resignation of the VC.