New Delhi: A group of men allegedly molested students after gatecrashing a college fest in Delhi University's south campus, according to college students.
Some of the students took to Instagram to narrate their unpleasant experiences during the fest at the all-women Gargi College on February 6 and alleged that the security personnel did nothing to control the unruly groups.
The students have planned a protest inside the college on Monday.
The college principal, Promila Kumar, remained unavailable for comment.
Police said they have not received any PCR or other complaints in the matter either from the students or the college authorities.
Many students on the page, 'speakupgargi', blamed the college union and the administration for "failing" to protect students and even demanded the resignation of the college principal.
A student, in an Instagram post, said, "The college fest was a traumatic experience. I was guarded by two male friends at the fest. But unfortunately lost them in the sea of men at the fest. In merely those 10 minutes, I was groped thrice by a group of men and when I realised what had happened, they laughed in my face."
Another student shared on the Instagram page that two women students had panic attacks due to "harassment" they faced.
A first-year student claimed that a group of "five middle-aged, drunk men cornered her and " tried to molest her" and there were men inside the crowd who were smoking weed.
A student, requesting anonymity, said, "The students' union will be taking up the matter with the college administration on Monday. During the fest, the police and bouncers were present and were informed that there was overcrowding but they did not do anything to manage the crowd."
In a statement, the Left-backed Democratic Students' Federation (DSF) said, "Thursday saw the Gargi annual fest, Reverie happen in the college premises where the deliberate negligence on the part of the administration and the security led to a situation where a score of inebriated men were allowed to enter the campus and grope and harass the students."
The outfit claimed students have also said these men were shouting "Jai Sri Ram" and holding saffron flags.
The DSF also compared the incident to recent violence at the Jamia Millia Islamic and the Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday said misbehavior with women students at Gargi College was "extremely unfortunate" and the accused must be given stringent punishment.
"The misbehavior with our daughters at Gargi College is extremely unfortunate. This cannot be tolerated at all. The culprits should be given stringent punishment. It should be ensured that the children studying in our colleges are safe," Kejriwal said in a tweet.
NCW takes cognizance of sexual harassment at Gargi College
National Commission for women has taken cognizance in the matter of alleged sexual harassment of girl students at Gargi college, University of Delhi. NCW chief Rekha Shama confirmed this on Monday.
A delegation of NCW will visit Gargi college on Monday.
A few students of Gargi College on Saturday had alleged that some "drunken men" -- said to be pro-CAA demonstrators -- had entered the women's college campus and misbehaved with students.
The incident, the students say, took place a few days ago during Day 3 of the annual festival 'Reverie'. A group of drunken men reportedly entered the college affiliated to Delhi University, and manhandled the students.
"Girls were groped, locked in washrooms, stalked to the nearby Green Park metro, cat-called, eve-teased and misbehaved with during the festival," read the blog of one of the students of Gargi College.
The blog added: "The men were allegedly shouting 'Jai Shri Ram' slogans that made us presume they had 'Hindutva/BJP' affiliation. We don't know how true this is as those who witnessed the episode are scared to come forward."
A student requesting anonymity told IANS: "I can't confirm the allegations of molestation but a large group of drunken men had dropped in and manhandled students."
(With inputs from agencies)
