"Every time women students in any institution raise basic demands they are first and foremost met with silencing, shaming and even disciplinary action and in the extreme case of BHU, a lathi-charge," write women students in Bhopal, in an open letter to Nirmala Sitharaman, the Minister of Defence of India.

It is not a secret that many university campuses in India still struggle with safety, are in open defiance of the University Grants Commission POSH mandate which emphasizes on compliant, active ICCs (Internal Complaints Committees) and redressal mechanisms as opposed to caging students 'for their own safety'. 

How long are universities going to get away with their illicit policing? Are these universities ever even going to be penalized (like the law says they would be)?

How many more generations of students shall have to rally on streets and go on strikes to make their basic demands of safety and integrity, their fundamental rights as citizens, heard by decision makers?

They're students; shouldn't they have to focus on education as opposed to being harassed in their place of education?

What use is legislation if it's just on paper, and never truly practised?

Our petition asks decision makers to ensure universities are compliant with the required mandates. We ask to better the failing POSH mechanism in universities as opposed to imposing more restrictions and harassment on students.

Thank you for your support thus far. We're a 5k+ growing troupe that wants safer universities now. Let's make sure we're heard.

Do keep sharing this petition and please reach out to me in case you have more thoughts on how we can meet our ask. You can write to us at safercampusesindia@gmail.com.

Let's get #SaferCampusesNOW - together.