The Gujarat High Court today (28 Feb) heavily criticized the Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) administration for its alleged suppression of accusations made by two students concerning queerphobia and rape incidents on the university premises.
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Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court has openly reprimanded the administration of the Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) for its handling of serious allegations brought forward by students. The allegations, which include queerphobia and rape within the university premises, have raised questions about the safety and inclusivity of educational environments.
During a session that caught the attention of legal educators and students nationwide, the bench, led by Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Aniruddha P. Mayee, did not mince words in expressing their dismay over the university’s approach. The court’s reaction came after reviewing a sealed cover report from a reconstituted Fact-Finding Committee, which was initially set up to delve into the grave accusations made by two students.
The justices labeled the contents of the report as “scary,” pointing out that the GNLU administration seemed to have intentionally obscured the full scope of the incidents. This revelation has not only tarnished the image of the institution but also raised significant concerns about the transparency and accountability mechanisms in place.
The court’s observations were stark and foreboding.
“Incidents of molestation, rape, discrimination, homophobia, favouritism, suppression of voices, lack of Internal Complaint Committee are reported…and then this is an NLU! Its registrar filed an affidavit before us saying nothing happened and asked us to close the matter and he had the audacity to say this before us when the court was seized with the matter,”
-the bench stated, highlighting a disturbing disconnect between the university’s internal reports and the harsh realities faced by its students.
The High Court’s comments shed light on a broader issue of silence and suppression within educational institutions, particularly those dedicated to the study of law.
“It was so difficult for the students of the GNLU to speak up and they are students of Law. If the voices of Law students are suppressed, who will speak in the country? They are supposed to help others…The victim stated that a politically influential person had been involved in suppressing the incident before the Police…How can we assume that the students are stating wrong, why would they do it? They have no personal grudges against anyone,”
-the court remarked, emphasizing the irony and gravity of law students being silenced within their own university.
The court further lamented the state of legal education, expressing concern for the future of law students and the legal profession at large.
“I am most concerned about law students…they are the protector of the law…if this is happening in a law college then we cannot show our faces to anyone and all these lectures, and seminars go to rubbish…This is the state of affairs in a law college,”
-the justices added, pointing to a systemic failure that extends beyond individual incidents.
Additionally, the court criticized the GNLU administration’s defensive stance against social media posts that brought the allegations to light, highlighting a culture of denial and retaliation rather than one of support and investigation. The court’s directive to the Advocate General to identify the competent authority responsible for addressing the findings of the fact-finding committee underscores the urgent need for accountability and reform within the institution.
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As the legal community and the public await further developments, the Gujarat High Court’s stern rebuke serves as a reminder of the critical role educational institutions play in fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all students. The GNLU case is not just a reflection on one university but a call to action for all educational institutions to uphold the highest standards of safety, respect, and justice for their communities.
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