Operation Pink literature

Delhi University Student's Union declares war on the pile of pending sexual harassment cases; earmarks action against guilty

Enough is enough. Fed up of dozens of sexual harassment cases, investigations into most of which are proceeding at a snail's pace, the Delhi University Student's Union (DUSU) has decided to wage a war against it.

Christened "Operation Pink Literature", the initiative will look into every individual case related to complaints of sexual harassment, molestation by students against teachers.

Initially the complaints of research students will be taken up but depending on the progress made in them, DUSU will address pleas by undergraduate students too.

The student's body has prepared a committee which will talk to individual complainants and see how and why the probe into the matter has been delayed.

DUSU president Manoj Choudhary, said, "There are over a dozenu00a0 such cases pending with the Vice Chancellor of Delhi University. There are many committees formed but no decision has been taken. Most of the cases are two to three years old. The cases are initially hyped by the media but later nobody cares to follow them.

Therefore, the accused teachers continue to work as usual and go unpunished."

The panel has decided on the nature of punishment both for guilty teachers as well as the students. In case the teachers are found innocent, the complainant students will have to face serious consequences. degrees of all such student will be upheld for six months or a year. The guilty will be asked to call their parents to appear before the DUSU panel and give a written explanation. The student will also have to file a bond that he/she will not repeat the mistake.

However, if the teacher is found guilty DUSU plans to take even stricter action against them.

"As per the constitution of Delhi University, if there are charges of sexual harassment against any professor, he is not eligible to hold any higher position at any department of Delhi University. We will make sure that he is being removed from such position and his office is sealed. Students will be asked to boycott all his classes. The teacher will not be allowed to participate in any national or international seminar. The university should also make sure that his salary is not released," added Choudhary.

According to a survey conducted by an NGO, Stree Adhikar Sangathan, 82 per cent of students thought that sexual harassment was a major problem in North Campus and 80 per cent of sexual harassment victims in Delhi University seek help from friends and family, rather than approaching the sexual harassment complaints committees. The survey was conducted among women hostellers and non-hostellers, men hostellers and non-hostellers, women residents on the campus, and faculty members and/or their spouses who live in the faculty quarters.

Raise awareness

In September, a rally was organized by the Safe University Campaign in Delhi University. It was aimed at creating awareness about sexual harassment as a widespread problem on the campus. Campaigners also demanded that the Vice Chancellor Deepak Pental and the sexual harassment complaints committees, set up under Ordinance XV (D), should be more proactive. This Ordinance was promulgated six years ago, along with varsity's policy on sexual harassment, to act as safety mechanisms against harassment on campus.

82
Is the percentage of students who think sexual harassment is a major problem in North Campus.

80
Is the percentage sexual harassment victims in Delhi University who seek help from friends and family, rather than approaching the complaints' committees.