Mysore varsity circular imposing curbs on movement of girls withdrawn

Mysuru: The circular of the University of Mysore imposing curbs on movement of girl students alone on its Manasagangotri campus after 6.30 pm has been withdrawn, Higher Education Minister CN Ashwath Narayan said on Saturday.

He said it’s true that generally, campuses of universities are vast but to bar the movement of girl students is not correct.

Narayan directed vice-chancellors of universities to take security measures and create safe campuses.

The University of Mysore’s move on Friday was prompted by the gang-rape of a college student near Chamundi foothills on the outskirts of Mysuru on August 24 which has created a scare.

Entry of visitors to the Kukkarahalli lake premises has also been prohibited after 6.30 pm, said sources in the university which have issued the circular announcing the measures.

The steps were taken as part of ”safety and precautionary measure” following verbal instructions by police, the sources said.

Security guards have been asked to patrol the campus from 6 pm to 9 pm, they said.

Narayan termed the rape incident as ‘condemnable’ and said one should not snatch the freedom of girl students because of this case.

”It’s our responsibility to give them protection without violating their freedom,” the minister said. ”Wherever required, closed-circuit cameras should be installed.”

”There should be a greater vigil in university campuses. Already, steps have been taken by the Government in this regard. Measures will be tightened by leveraging technology”, he added.