Karnataka: University of Mysore Bans Girl Students’ Movements After 6:30 PM

The circular has been issued after the police department raised concerns about the safety of girl students in the campus.

University of Mysore (Source: University website)

Chennai: A few days after a 22-year-old MBA student was gang-raped in Mysuru district, the University of Mysore has banned the movement of girl students in the campus after 6:30 pm as a precautionary measure. 

However, as the order drew criticism, Karnataka minister for higher education CN Ashwathnarayan on Saturday said that he had directed the VC to withdraw the circular shortly after it was issued and accordingly, it was withdrawn. 

In the wake o tragic incident in Mysore, I informed VCs to withdraw the order as soon as circular issued by University of Mysore forbidding student movement at university campus after 6.30 pm. Accordingly, it was withdrawn: Karnataka Min for Higher Education, Dr CN Ashwathnarayan pic.twitter.com/asFsEmWaCI

— ANI (@ANI) August 28, 2021

According to a report from IANS, a circular issued by the Registrar said that the movement of girl students on the campus has been banned after 6:30 pm. The order also banned the students from sitting anywhere in the campus after the deadline, the report added. 

As the circular has created outrage among the students, the university Vice Chancellor G Hemantha Kumar had assured to rectify the order by Saturday, the report added. 

According to the report, the circular has been issued based on the police officials’ oral instructions following the gang rape of a student a few days ago.

Quoting the order, the report said that the entry of the public to the Kukkarahalli lake premises, which is located close to the university premises, will also be restricted after 6:30 pm.  The university has also issued directions to strengthen patrolling and other security systems in the campus, the report added. 

Speaking to IANS, the vice chancellor said that the circular has been issued after the police department raised concerns about the girl students’ safety in the campus that has several deserted places. The guideline has been issued in the interest of girl students’ safety, he said according to the report. 

Explaining that the circular has been issued to prevent girl students from visiting deserted places in the campus after 6:30 pm so as to prevent crimes against women, he said that Kukkarahalli lake region is like a forest due to its thick vegetation, according to the report. 

"In the campus, we wanted to convey to girl students that instead of going alone by themselves, they should go along with their friend. The message's wordings have gone wrong from the side of the Registrar. I will get it rectified," he told IANS.

Meanwhile, Karnataka minister for higher education CN Ashwathnarayan said that he had directed the VC to withdraw the circular shortly after it was issued and accordingly, it was withdrawn, according to ANI. 

Quoting the minister, ANI further said that all Varsities are advised to take safety measures to create a safe environment in the premises and security personnel were directed to do proper patrolling.