Massive protests erupted at the campus of Chandigarh University, one of the biggest private varsities in Punjab, late last night after reports of a suicide attempt by a girl student allegedly over the circulation of objectionable videos. The university has denied any suicide bid claiming a student had collapsed during protests.
As per reports, three hostellers approached the hostel warden on the campus claiming that one of the female residents had been making objectionable videos. While it was not clear whether the girl student had actually recorded videos clandestinely, as soon as the news about the `circulation’ of the video went viral online, massive protests erupted.
What added fuel to the protest was a video in which the hostel warden is seen grilling the girl student who reportedly made the video. The university has claimed that the warden was questioning the girl to ascertain if any video was actually shot. But the students have alleged a cover-up by the university authorities.
As per the media reports, a female student made these videos and shared them with another university student who later allegedly uploaded the videos on the internet.
The student allegedly had made videos of 60 fellow students in the last many months, as per reports, however, News18 is yet to confirm the exact number of students affected by this.
The accused used to sell these videos in exchange for money. The girl was caught red-handed while making a video, following which the incident unfolded. As per reports, the girl student who shot the videos is from Mohali, and she sent the video to a friend living in Shimla.
After the matter came to light, it was reported that eight girls have committed suicide, however, police have denied claims. “FIR was registered in the matter and the accused student was arrested. No death reported related to this incident. As per medical records, no attempt (to commit suicide) reported": SSP Mohali to agencies.
Both DGP Gaurav Yadav and Chancellor of the University, Satnam Singh Sandhu have denied that any girl had tried to commit suicide. University officials said that the video of the warden, which is being circulated on the social media, has been made purposely. “The warden was crosschecking the allegations made by the three hostellers. We have investigated the matter and no objectionable video has been found so far,’’ claimed varsity officials.
Agitating girls have also accused the university management of suppressing the matter instead of taking action, which led to many of them protesting outside the university.
Meanwhile, students alleged that the videos have been circulated intentionally by the university management to pass on the blame to students. “The complaints of three girls should have been pacified in a professional way. The warden is clearly seen threatening the student- at a time when other female students were already in fear. This should have been handled in a proper manner," said one of the students.
DGP Gaurav Yadav said no death was reported from Chandigarh University. The girl student accused of making a video has been detained and an FIR has been lodged.
Many residents of Chandigarh University hostels protested and raised slogans against the management for mishandling the situation. In various videos, the residents are seen demanding justice and abusing the security at the campus. The protesters also purposely opened the hostel gates and tried to run outside the campus.
Meanwhile, Education minister Harjot Singh Bains said that the incident was being probed. “I humbly request all the students of Chandigarh University to remain calm, no one guilty will be spared. It’s a very sensitive matter & relates to the dignity of our sisters and daughters. We all including the media should be very very cautious, it is also a test of ours now as a society, he tweeted.
“I humbly request all the students of Chandigarh University to remain calm, no one guilty will be spared. It’s a very sensitive matter & relates to dignity of our sisters & daughters. We all including media should be very very cautious, it is also test of ours now as a society," he wrote. As a precautionary measure, police have been deployed in the entire area.
Some female student recorded videos of 60+ MBA freshers girl while bathing in a hostel and uploaded them on adult websites.
— The_anonymous_wave (@anonymouswave1) September 17, 2022
2-3 girls in #ChandigarhUniversity attempted suîcide and one lost the battle.
Managment is trying to suppress the matter.
Highway is closed by students pic.twitter.com/7PPWp0E07A
