The Students Federation of India (SFI) has called for immediate arrests following the gang rape of a female student on the South Asian University (SAU) campus in Delhi. The incident occurred on October 13, 2025 . The SFI condemned the crime, attributing responsibility to both the Union government and the university administration for a perceived failure in law and order.
A group of men subjected the student to a gang rape inside the international university campus. The SFI labeled the event “shameful for the country.” The federation highlighted SAU’s stated objective to provide world-class facilities and professional faculty to students and researchers from every country of the SAARC region.
SFI Demands Immediate Action and Accountability
The SFI urged the Union government and Delhi Police to take swift action. Their primary demand is the quick arrest of the perpetrators. In an official statement, the federation explicitly declared the SAU administration and the government accountable for the horrific crime occurring inside the campus. The SFI stressed the gravity of such an incident happening within an international university located in the national capital.
The federation sharply criticized the SAU administration. It stated the administration “was infamous for suppressing students’ democratic voices inside the campus.” The SFI further asserted that university officials had “tried to resist with hostile actions” whenever students attempted to organize themselves within the campus.
According to the SFI, this suppression, rather than empowering students, directly contributes to an “anarchic situation in the campus.” The federation claimed this environment fosters “imposed hierarchic subjugation of the students.” The SFI held both the University administration and the Union Government directly responsible for allowing such a situation to develop.
Broader Concerns: National Law and Order Failure
The SFI connected the SAU incident to a significant increase in attacks against women nationwide over recent years. It cited “numerous reports of attacks on women” across the country. The federation specifically referenced past incidents like the RG Kar case and the gang-rape of an Odisha student in West Bengal, pointing to a disturbing trend.
The SFI described the emerging unsafe atmosphere for women within the country as “utterly shameful.” The federation attributed this deteriorating public safety to a “law and order failure” and an “emerging undemocratic atmosphere within the country.” The SFI placed the direct responsibility for these conditions squarely on the Union government.
Condemnation of Victim Blaming Policies
The SFI also issued a strong condemnation of victim-blaming. The federation attacked the SAU administration for what it called “offensive measures” against students, stating that authorities often blame students for crimes rather than strengthening security. It demanded an immediate halt to such practices by the university and the government.
The SFI specifically referenced remarks made by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee regarding a past Durgapur rape-case. Banerjee had stated that girls living in hostels should not be out late. She suggested students must adhere to hostel rules and acknowledged that “police cannot be present everywhere for every girl at all the places.”
The federation criticized Banerjee’s statements as a “shocking failure of law and order.” It further labeled her comments as “subsequent regressive and deeply insensitive.” The SFI argued that “this attempt to blame the victim and evade governmental responsibility for maintaining public safety is unacceptable.” The federation contended that such remarks echoed a “conservative, regressive desire to confine women to their homes, stripping them of their freedom.”
Call for Enhanced Campus Security and Democratic Spaces
The SFI’s core demand includes immediate and substantial enhancement of security measures for female students across all educational campuses. The federation asserts that authorities must prioritize student safety above all. It also calls for fostering democratic spaces within universities, believing this will empower students and deter anarchic situations. The SFI advocates for a fundamental shift: from blaming students for safety failures to proactive protection and ensuring a supportive, secure, and democratic environment for all students.