RGUNL Student Protest: Punjab Women Commission Assures Forming Committee To Address Grievances

Patiala: Punjab State Women Commission, Raj Lali Gill, visited the campus of  Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL) to meet the protesting students and assured them that a grievance redressal committee would be formed. Students of RGUNL are demanding the resignation of Vice Chancellor Jaishankar Singh, who allegedly invaded the privacy of students in the girls' hostel and made sexist remarks about their appearance and choice of subjects. 

The protests began on September 22, Sunday when the VC entered the girls' hostel in the name of ‘surprise inspection’. Students are also protesting for other issues including hostel conditions and the Vice Chancellor's handling of student concerns and his alleged indecent behaviour.

After hearing the students' concerns, Gill assured them that a committee would be established to address their grievances.

"They told me about all their problems, objections, and requests for certain facilities, including fee-related issues. I assured them that their concerns would be heard. I also spoke with the Vice Chancellor and some female faculty members. After hearing both sides, we decided that the students would elect their representatives, and a committee, possibly including external faculty members, would be formed to address their needs," Gill said.

She added that student safety was her top priority and that she would return if needed. "If the students ask me to return, I will come back. For me, the safety of girls is my top priority," she added.

VC Addresses Media, Denies Allegations

Meanwhile, Vice Chancellor Jaishankar Singh, who had been avoiding media interactions, finally addressed the matter. Speaking to the media, he explained that he had personally visited the hostel to address student complaints. 

Refuting the allegations against him, he said, “I went to the hostel once to investigate and resolve the problems. The allegations being made against me are completely baseless. These are young students, and it is my responsibility to ensure their safety and security. These children have bright futures ahead of them, and we will provide them with the best education so they can become excellent lawyers, journalists, and professionals who can pursue higher education abroad.”

The Vice-Chancellor further added, “We are taking steps to ensure the safety of these students. They are between 17 and 23 years of age, and their safety is our top priority. We are consistently working on improving their health, education, and overall development. Our goal is to help them become the best professionals in their respective fields. Together with our faculty, we will continue striving to enhance the institution and provide the best education possible.”

Singh also addressed complaints about hostel facilities, particularly overcrowded rooms and inadequate furniture. He explained that the number of female students admitted in the first year had increased, resulting in some students sharing small rooms. "We visited the hostel with the chief warden and female security guards to inspect the rooms where the students were staying. We are working to resolve these issues as quickly as possible," he said.

Despite these assurances, the protests at RGNUL continue. Students remain firm in their demand for the Vice Chancellor's resignation. A special committee has been formed to investigate the matter, comprising faculty members such as Professor Sharanjit Kaur, Prof. Naresh Kumar Vats, Dr Geetika Wali, Dr Ivneet Walia, Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma, Dr Shruti Goyal, Dr Tanya Mander, Dr Jashleen Kewlani, and Dr Sidharth Dahiya. However, a resolution to the situation has yet to be reached.

(With ANI inputs)