Female students at Karnataka State Law University have raised alarming concerns over persistent eve-teasing near campus, sparking outrage over administrative inaction and lack of safety measures.
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NEW DELHI: In a disturbing series of incidents, female students of Karnataka State Law University (KSLU), located near Navanagar in Hubballi, have reported repeated instances of eve-teasing and harassment while walking back to their hostels from the campus. The students claim that despite raising the issue with the hostel authorities, no meaningful action has been taken so far.
According to accounts from several students, the problem has been recurring over the past five days, primarily in the evening hours around 9:00 pm. A group of five to six young men — described by students as “Road Romeos” — regularly occupies a bench on the stretch of road connecting the university’s academic block to the hostel. The men allegedly engage in inappropriate behavior, including catcalling, stalking, whistling, and making lewd comments directed at female students returning from classes or the library.
One alarming incident reportedly occurred a few days ago, when an intoxicated man approached a female student and allegedly attempted to expose himself. Terrified, the student fled the scene.
On another evening, a group of unidentified miscreants in a moving car allegedly tried to grab a girl’s hand and drag her inside the vehicle. Thankfully, the student managed to escape without physical harm.
The students have voiced deep concern over the increasing frequency and boldness of these acts.
“Stalking, catcalling, and whistling at girls has become a regular occurrence. It’s frightening to walk back alone in the evenings,” said one student under condition of anonymity.
Despite raising the matter with the hostel authorities, they allege that their complaints have been dismissed or, worse, met with victim-blaming.
“Instead of addressing the harassment, some staff members blamed us for wearing ‘inappropriate clothing’ or for ‘talking carelessly on the phone’ while walking back,”
another student reported, expressing disappointment at the lack of empathy and support from the hostel administration.
In the absence of institutional support, a concerned male student from the university took the initiative to approach the Navanagar Police Station on Wednesday to report the matter. Following his complaint, three lady constables visited the hostel premises and conducted a brief awareness session with the female students. However, students say this is not enough and are demanding stricter patrolling and preventative measures in the area.
Hostel Warden Denies Responsibility
When contacted, the hostel warden, M Parvathi, confirmed that
she had received a complaint regarding the incidents on Thursday morning and had escalated the matter to her superiors.
However, she distanced herself from any further action, stating,
“The incident occurred on the main road and not within hostel premises. As such, it does not fall under my purview.”
She further added that the affected students had not lodged any formal written complaint either with the university authorities or the police.
Police Say No Formal Complaint Filed
Inspector Samiulla of APMC-Navanagar Police Station echoed the same sentiment.
“We have not received any official complaint directly from the students. However, our patrol teams have been conducting regular rounds in the area to ensure student safety,” he said.
Students Demand Immediate Safety Measures
The students, however, are not satisfied with the vague assurances and are demanding swift and tangible action. They have called for:
- Increased patrolling during evening hours, especially along the route connecting the campus and the hostel.
- Installation of CCTV cameras in vulnerable stretches.
- Immediate suspension or legal action against identified perpetrators.
- A grievance redressal mechanism within the university that responds to such complaints with urgency and sensitivity.
Many students have also expressed concern that the absence of strict action may embolden the miscreants, creating a more dangerous environment for female students who already feel unsafe walking back after classes.
Call for Institutional Accountability
This incident once again brings to light the broader issue of women’s safety on and around educational campuses in India. It underscores the urgent need for coordinated action among university administrations, hostel authorities, and local police to ensure that students — especially women — can access education without fear or harassment.
The silence or inaction of institutions, combined with victim-blaming attitudes, only serves to disempower survivors and dissuade them from coming forward. Students and civil society groups have long called for a more gender-sensitive approach to campus safety, one that prioritizes the safety and dignity of students over bureaucratic technicalities about jurisdiction.
As of now, students at KSLU await a formal acknowledgment of the problem and prompt steps toward ensuring their safety — not just promises, but protection.
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