BHU violence: National Human Rights Commission asks for explanation from Uttar Pradesh govt, VC

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Tuesday taking suo motu cognizance of media reports issued notices to Uttar Pradesh government and asked the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) Vice-Chancellor for explanation over the police lathicharge on female students.

The NHRC has asked for a detailed report over the eve-teasing complaint and harsh police action against students.

An NHRC member said, “Suo motu cognizance has been taken in subsequent use of unwarranted manhandling and thrashing of agitating students, mostly women, by the UP police.

Notices have been issued to the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary, DGP and BHU Vice Chancellor.

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BHU university students mostly girls were cane-charged by police in the early hours of Sunday while they were protesting the university administration’s alleged inaction over a reported molestation of a student by bike-borne miscreants within the varsity campus. Several students, police personnel were reportedly injured in the clash.

Agitation in BHU was instigated by a handful of BHU female students seeking proper security in the 100-year-old BHU campus on Thursday, now has turned into a stir against the Uttar Pradesh administration after police forces mended batons on the protesting students.

Earlier, the Varanasi Commissioner Nitin Gokarn submitted a report to the state chief secretary Rajiv Kumar.

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The district administration in the report blamed the varsity.

According to a senior UP administrative official, “BHU administration did not deal with a complaint on a sensitive issue lodged by a female student which led to the chaotic situation.”