Bengaluru: Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) has issued comprehensive new safety guidelines for its 1,000-plus affiliated colleges. The directive aims to significantly enhance protection for female students and staff across all campuses. This crucial action follows a reported nationwide increase in sexual harassment and assault cases within educational institutions, prompting a re-evaluation of existing security frameworks.
Mandatory Safety Infrastructure
The university’s recent circular details several compulsory physical safety protocols. Colleges must install functional CCTV cameras throughout their entire campus premises. This includes critical common areas like lecture halls, libraries, canteens, and all entry and exit points. Surveillance systems are expected to be operational 24/7 to deter potential offenders and provide evidence if incidents occur.
The guidelines also mandate superior illumination across campuses. Poorly lit areas, especially secluded spots such as stairwells, corridors, and dead-ends, pose significant safety risks. Colleges must ensure these spaces are brightly lit at all times. This measure aims to reduce opportunities for misconduct and improve visibility for students and staff moving around campus after dark.
Robust Grievance and Prevention Mechanisms
Institutions must maintain and promote robust grievance redress mechanisms specifically for female students and staff. These systems are designed to provide a confidential and accessible pathway for reporting concerns. The mechanisms ensure that all complaints, from minor issues to serious allegations, are handled with urgency, fairness, and sensitivity. RGUHS has communicated a clear stance: it will uphold a strict zero-tolerance policy against any form of harassment, discrimination, or misconduct towards women and staff members.
Colleges are also directed to establish or strengthen their active Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) committees. The POSH committee serves as a formal body responsible for investigating complaints, providing support to survivors, and recommending appropriate actions. Its effective functioning is vital for creating a secure and respectful campus environment. The university emphasizes that these committees must be easily accessible and well-publicized to all students and employees.
Awareness and Education Programmes
Beyond physical security, RGUHS mandates regular awareness and educational programmes. These sessions will inform students and staff about different forms of harassment, their rights, and the available support structures within the college and external agencies. Programmes should cover topics such as consent, respectful interactions, and bystander intervention. The goal is to cultivate a campus culture that actively discourages misconduct and empowers individuals to seek help.
Dedicated Oversight and Review
Each affiliated college must form a dedicated safety review committee. This body holds responsibility for continuous monitoring and periodic assessment of campus security measures. Key members of this essential committee include the head of the college, the women’s hostel warden, the registrar, and other designated administrative officers. This committee’s mandate involves not only reviewing existing protocols but also suggesting improvements and ensuring timely implementation of all RGUHS safety directives.
National Context: Triggers for Action
These new guidelines from RGUHS respond directly to a series of escalating concerns over campus safety nationwide. Recent high-profile incidents have underscored the critical need for heightened security and immediate action. One such case involved the alleged gang rape of a medical student near her campus in Durgapur, West Bengal. Six individuals, including a friend, were arrested in connection with that heinous crime, drawing national attention to the vulnerability of students.
Separately, Delhi’s South Asian University (SAU) experienced significant student protests following an alleged sexual assault of a B.Tech student on campus. These and other incidents across India highlight systemic challenges in ensuring student protection. RGUHS emphasizes its proactive approach to prevent similar occurrences. The university aims to foster a secure academic environment where all students can pursue their education without fear for their safety and well-being.