Following an inspection by a committee by Anna University, the Sairam Engineering College has decided to appoint women as floor supervisors in the college to prevent alleged cases of sexual harassment by floor supervisors.
Speaking to The Hindu , Saiprakash Leo Muthu, CEO, Sairam Group of Institutions, said the college was looking to ensure that girl students were safe in the college. “The students’ main complaints were the removal of the Campus Director Balu, and protection for women students. We have now removed Mr. Balu as campus director as well,” he said.
The students’ third demand was that a student council be put in place with elections. “With regards to that, the direction has to come from Anna University,” he said.
Students of the college have been protesting for a week, demanding increased security for women. A male student said, “When we talk to girls, our social media pages are monitored, and often girls face problems of sexual harassment by the floor supervisors. We will definitely feel safer with women supervisors, but it is not right to restrict us from talking to girls.”
“We have decided to finish our examinations before our next course of action,” he added.
On Monday, ahead of the Anna University inspection, a group of students attempted to stop a college bus from entering the institution. The students, however, were dissuaded.
According to Mr. Leo Muthu, however, when it is about academics, boys and girls are allowed to talk. “On the buses, boys sit in the back and girls in the front. It is only when we find boys and girls from different streams talking, that there is some objection, because the talk cannot pertain to academics,” he said.
“We will not be taking action against any of the 36 students who were detained for protesting last week,” he added.
Complaints being probed
Anna University has initiated a probe into complaints by students regarding harsh measures and rules on their campus. On Wednesday, a group of students met senior police officials even as a larger group protested in front of the office of the Commissioner of Police in Egmore.
A senior Anna University official said a special team has been formed to inspect the college.
On Tuesday, the police had detained 36 students for protesting near the university.
Students have been protesting for a week, demanding increased security for women
