New Delhi: Banaras Hindu University vice-chancellor GC Tripathi, who faced a lot of flak for being unable to contain violence on campus after a student’s molestation two months ago, was given a farewell amid tight security on Sunday with his tenure ending on Monday.
Tripathi had gone on leave for an “indefinite period” on October 2 after calls for his resignation. He returned from the one and half month leave on Sunday evening and was greeted by slogans of “VC go back”. Protesting students also put up posters asking “do you feel ashamed now?”
Only students from the medical branch were allowed inside the farewell venue - KN Udappa Auditorium.
On the night of September 23, a second-year student of BHU was allegedly molested on campus by motorcycle-borne men.
Tripathi had received a lot of criticism for failing to take action on the girl’s molestation complaint and mishandling protests after female students were allegedly lathi-charged for agitating against the administration.
Students protest at the BHU campus on Sunday evening. (Photo: CNN-News18)
He had repeatedly made controversial statements to defend the university’s actions, or the lack of them. He was also quoted as saying the university “cannot pay heed to the demand of every girl” as it would make running the university difficult. For this statement, he was issued a notice by the National Commission for Women.
He also blamed the female students for daring to protest against harassment and “selling modesty and dishonouring the university”.
Later, the university administration had said these were non-BHU students who were inciting protests. The BHU administration also searched hostels on suspicions that miscreants and university graduates were staying illegally.
Meanwhile, the culprits in the molestation case are yet be identified. Questioned on the progress in the investigation, chief proctor Royana Singh said, “There were lots of committees... Justice Dikshit commitee and a National Commission for Women committee... as far as the persons who committed the crime, we have not been able to identify them as yet.”
The VC's responsibilities will now be taken up by a senior office bearer till the next VC is appointed. Singh indicated that this might take at least one month.
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