Background Of the Harassment’s Case
- On Sunday, a security guard was arrested following allegations of an on-campus rape at a college in Lahore, which is being investigated as a harassment case.
- The incident sparked protests on Monday, leading to clashes between students, college security, and police.
- 28 students were reportedly injured during these clashes, which escalated due to the harassment allegations.
Tuesday’s Anti-Harassment Rally
The Progressive Students Collective (PSC) organized an anti-harassment rally on Tuesday, marching from Government College University to the Punjab Assembly. The rally was in direct response to the alleged rape and broader issues of harassment in educational institutions.
Anti-Harassment Demands Put Forward By Protestors
Investigation into recent harassment events:
- Look into the violence against students that occurred during the harassment case protests on Monday.
- Thorough examination of the purported rape case at Punjab College, which is regarded as a serious case of harassment.
- Investigation of other cases of harassment, include those that occurred at Lahore Women’s College.
Formation of an independent anti-harassment committee:
- Composition to include:
- Independent human rights organizations
- Student representatives
- Judges
Campus-wide anti-harassment measures:
- Creation of anti-harassment committees in all educational institutions.
- Ensuring that every anti-harassment body has a minimum of one female student and adequate student representation.
Harassment awareness campaign:
- Implementation of an awareness campaign on harassment-related laws and procedures.
- Inclusion of anti-harassment guidelines in the academic curriculum.
College Administration’s Response
Agha Tahir Ijaz, director of the Punjab Group of Colleges, addressed the harassment allegations in a video statement:
- No CCTV footage of the alleged harassment incident was found.
- Police have taken custody of all CCTV records.
- The college contacted students on leave but found no direct information about the harassment case.
- A security guard mentioned in relation to the harassment incident was arrested and remains in custody.
- The director claimed there were inconsistencies in the harassment allegations regarding the campus layout.
Police Action and Public Appeal
- The Punjab police have asked anyone with information about the alleged rape and associated harassment accusations to come forward.
- Reporting channels include:
- Emergency number 15
- Women Safety App
- The police assured that whistleblowers’ identities would be kept confidential to encourage reporting of harassment cases.
Legal Action Against the Harassment Case
A citizen named Azam Butt has filed an application in the Lahore High Court:
- Highlighting various alleged harassment incidents in Punjab educational institutions.
- Claiming a lack of action by the Punjab government regarding harassment cases.
- Requesting a court-ordered investigation into these harassment incidents.
- Urging the court to direct the Punjab government to ensure the safety of female students in light of the ongoing harassment allegations.
As students, organizations, and authorities struggle with these grave accusations of harassment and their fallout, the issue is still developing.