We strongly and unequivocally condemn the brutal assault and molestation of Ruchi Tiwari during the pro-UGC protest at Delhi University. Such an act is not merely an attack on an individual woman, it is an attack on dignity, constitutional rights, and the fundamental principle of equality before the law.
No protest, political disagreement, or ideological difference can ever justify violence against a woman. Assault and molestation are grave criminal offences under Indian law, and those responsible must be identified and prosecuted without delay. The administration of Delhi University and law enforcement agencies must ensure a transparent investigation, immediate arrests, and strict legal action.
This incident also raises serious concerns about selective outrage and unequal legal sensitivity when victims belong to certain communities. We believe that when members of Brahmin communities face targeted hostility or violence, the response from institutions, political leaders, and media lacks urgency and seriousness. The absence of any specific protective legislation addressing caste-based targeting against upper castes, unlike provisions such as the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, has led to growing feelings of vulnerability and legal insecurity among many.
The Constitution of India guarantees equal protection of the law to every citizen under Article 14. Justice cannot and must not be conditional upon caste identity. If violence is condemned in one case, it must be condemned in all cases, without hierarchy, without selectivity, and without political convenience.
We demand:
Immediate arrest and prosecution of the accused.
A time-bound judicial process.
Institutional accountability from university authorities.
Assurance of equal legal protection and safety for every citizen, regardless of caste.
Silence, indifference, or selective activism only deepens social divisions. Violence against any community member must be treated with the same seriousness, and the rule of law must prevail without discrimination.
Justice must be impartial. Justice must be equal. Justice must be delivered.