The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has topped the list of sexual harassment cases, with 25 cases being reported in 2013-14. This is the highest number among the 104 higher education institutions from where the matter was reported, according to a data by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
While JNU tops the list of universities in reporting sexual harassment cases, Vice Chancellor of the university Sudhir Kumar Sopory believes that the campus is safe. "Despite the statistics, the campus remains safe for women," he said, according to The Hindu.
This information was presented by Human Resources Development minister Smriti Irani, in reply to a Lok Sabha member's question.
As per the UGC, 295 sexual harassment cases have been reported during the year 2014-15 in various universities.
"Our committee on gender sensitization against sexual harassment goes through all the complaints we receive. We get about 17 cases per year, and they are rigorously examined" JNU VC said, as reported by The Hindu.
According to statistics in 2014-2015, 15 cases of sexual harassment were reported from Banaras Hindu University (Varanasi), 10 cases were registered in Sam Hagginbottom Institute of Agricultural Technology and Sciences (Allahabad) and nine cases from King George's Medical University (Lucknow).
Eight other cases were reported from Maharashtra Universities, as per the Press Trust of India.
Also, JNU was in news for being at the receiving end of criticism by the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) mouthpiece Panchajanya, according to The Hindu.
