PU survey misleading, mindset has to change: Kanupriya

Bhartesh Singh Thakur
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, October 31

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Panjab University (PU) Campus Students’ Council president Kanupriya had promised round-the-clock opening of girls’ hostels during her election campaign. On Tuesday night, she led a protest, where she threw open doors of Girls’ Hostel Nos. 3 and 4.

But now, the PU has made a survey in this regard public, claiming that only 1 per cent of the parents conformed to the demand.

In an interview, she answered questions, ranging from parents’ opinion to the safety of girls.

Q: PU survey reflects that parents do not want round-the-clock opening of girls’ hostels. Why are you against taking parents’ opinion?

Many students had resented the survey. It was an exercise to mislead. My parents favour the demand. My sister studies at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, where girls have the freedom to go outside in the night. They have an orientation programme for parents too.

Q: The authorities question where the girls want to go? They have allowed you visit the library.

Teachers will not decide where we want to go. It is insulting, if they ask so. We are not promoting pubs and discotheques. We want to initiate a cultural discourse. The mindset has to change.

Q: The authorities are asking how they would ensure girls’ safety if the hostels are thrown open round the clock.

The authorities are responsible for girls’ safety. The university campus is also not safe. Cases of sexual harassment taken place in the evening. After a protest, they banned the entry of outsiders’ four-wheelers. The authorities have failed to implement the ban.

Q: There are allegations that your protest on Tuesday night included outsiders.

Many girls had come out of their hostels. There were no outsiders. The churning on the ground has been going on since 2015.

Q: Will you talk to the authorities to resolve the issue.

I had talked to them in the past. Now, they should come out and answer students directly.

Q: Your next action plan?

We will hold a protest on Thursday at 9. 30 pm.