‘Braved rain, fought fever with bandages’

Bhartesh Singh Thakur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 15

PUCSC president Kanupriya used to sleep in the open in cold along with her associates outside the gate of girls’ hostel number 3 and 4 during their protest for round-the-clock opening of girls’ hostels. Once, it rained and she got fever. “My roommate helped me with wet bandages throughout the night,” she said.

How significant was the protest?

The protesters were women students. For the first time, it was also led by women — me, SFS spokesperson Hassanpreet and other activists. We took out two rallies, which went beyond midnight. The protest continued day and night. The activists used to be more and blankets fell short.

You have described 24X7 open girls’ hostel as you dream

It was a dream to have girls on the campus without any weight on their mind that they would be fined if they come late to their residence or they wouldn’t be allowed to go out for any purpose or for any emergency. Now, they can decide on their own whether in the night they want to sleep or go to library or for a walk with their friend or may be alone.

The next target?

A committee has been formed which will also look into the representation of students’ council in the Senate and PUCASH. Implementation of decisions is poor on the campus. The structure is bureaucratic. The panel will ensure implementation of the decision of making girls hostels open 24X7.