BHU V-C should act as responsible administrator: NCW

The National Commission for Women (NCW) today said the Banaras Hindu University Vice-Chancellor should act as a responsible administrator and ensure safety and dignity of women on the campus.
The Commission also hit out at VC Girish Chandra Tripathi over his reported remarks that BHU cannot pay heed to "every demand of every girl".
Several students, including women, and two journalists were injured in police action at BHU where a protest on Saturday night against an alleged eve-teasing incident turned violent. An inquiry has been ordered into the violence on the campus.
"The NCW while taking other statutory measures strongly condemns such remarks and expects the Vice-Chancellor, BHU, to act like a responsible administrative head, who ensures safety and dignity of women," it said in a statement.

NCW officials did not respond to queries about statutory measures being contemplated.
In an interview to a national daily, Tripathi said, "If we are going to listen to every demand of every girl we won't be able to run the university."

The VC, who was in the national capital today for the varsity's executive council meeting, also said the violence was fanned by "rumour mongering" and "outsiders".
"We have the footage in which outsiders can be clearly seen at the protest. Rumour mongering escalated the protests. Rumours were spread that girls have been asked to vacate the hostels and those who were not involved in the protests also joined it," Tripathi told PTI.

He also brushed aside allegations of gender bias in the central university, suggesting the perception may have to do with the fact that authorities were "more concerned" about the security of women than men.