BHU Visit: PM Modi's Silence on IIT Student's Sexual Harassment Case Raises Eyebrows

Varanasi- In the backdrop of preparations for the Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) around 10 am on Friday, the second day of his visit to Varanasi. During his time there, the Prime Minister distributed certificates to the achievers of the Sansad Sanskrit competition.

However, it's noteworthy that this very university was embroiled in a case of sexual harassment of an IIT student by officials of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) IT cell about three months ago. Despite the presence of prominent leaders from various parties, including PM Modi, at the BHU campus today, no mention was made in their speeches about the victim or women's safety, and there was no interaction with the victim either.

Expressing concern over this silence, an IIT student of BHU remarked to The Mooknayak, "Whenever we protested for justice for the victim, individuals associated with the ABVP student organization attempted to suppress our voices. We faced numerous threats. Do you believe that rather than prioritizing his public image, Prime Minister Modi would address the issue of the victim or even meet with her?"

Another post-graduate student from BHU highlighted that although PM Modi visited the campus in the morning, he remained silent on the matter at hand. "Whenever prominent BJP leaders come to BHU, students associated with student organizations are routinely detained by the police," the student disclosed, shedding light on the local police's tactics. The student also informed about detention of some student leaders before Prime Minister Modi's arrival at BHU.

Despite efforts, The Mooknayak was unable to establish contact with the victim student.

It's worth noting that the allegations made by the IIT student in the FIR filed on November 2 last year had raised serious concerns about women's safety in universities and colleges across the state. According to the complaint lodged with the police, the student recounted being accosted by three unknown individuals around 1:30 in the night, who coerced her into a secluded area, undressed her, and took compromising photographs and videos.

Sixty days after the incident, the police apprehended three suspects. Kunal Pandey from Brij Enclave Colony Sunderpur (convenor of BJP Mahanagar IT Cell), Anand alias Abhishek Chauhan from Jivadhipur Bajardiha (working committee member of BJP Varanasi Mahanagar IT Cell), and Saksham from Bajardiha. Patel (co-convenor of IT cell of BJP Varanasi Metropolitan) were arrested.

Following the implication of BJP-affiliated officials in the incident, opposition parties vehemently criticized the BJP-led government in Uttar Pradesh. The court rejected the bail plea of the accused, citing the gravity of the offense and the ongoing investigation. Despite pleas, the court maintained the judicial custody of the three accused

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