New Delhi: Students of Lady Shri Ram College for Women (LSR) in Delhi University held a solidarity march on Wednesday, September 23, following the alleged gangrape of a 17-year-old girl at Aastha Kunj Park, located near the college.
The all-women demonstration saw students raising slogans and carrying posters calling for stronger security measures around the college and neighbouring areas.
Students said the march was aimed at asserting their right to safely access public spaces and drawing attention to concerns that they had raised about security around the college.
Participants carried posters with messages highlighting women's right to move freely at night and opposing restrictions placed on women in the name of safety. Students also raised slogans including “Azadi” and “Meri mukti, teri mukti, nari mukti, zindabad”.
Students raise security concerns
During the demonstration, students raised concerns about inadequate street lighting, limited police patrolling, insufficient CCTV coverage and the functioning of a women-focused police assistance booth in the area.
Several students also alleged that men frequently loiter around the road near the college's back gate leading towards Aastha Kunj Park. Some protesters alleged that they had witnessed obscene behaviour and harassment in the area.
Students said concerns about stalking and harassment near the college's back gate had previously been brought to the attention of the administration.
One student said the incident had heightened concerns among students about their safety in areas they regularly use.
Amid the concerns raised by students, LSR had shifted classes online and cancelled regular on-campus classes as a precautionary measure.
Police step up security
Senior Delhi Police officers, including Joint Commissioner of Police (Southern Range) Vijay Kumar, visited the college on Wednesday and met the principal.
Police officials assured the college administration that security arrangements around the campus would be strengthened and that officers would respond promptly to emergency situations.
Delhi Police personnel have been deployed outside the college, while women police officers and women PCR vans have also been stationed in the area.
Police also said a pink booth, a women-focused police assistance kiosk, had been made functional in the area from September 17.
The security measures come as police investigate the alleged sexual assault at Aastha Kunj Park and students continue to demand greater safety infrastructure around the college and adjoining public spaces.
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