New Delhi: Students of Delhi University’s all-women college Miranda House have alleged that several men who climbed the college walls and gates to attend a fest on campus on October 14, cat-called at the women, groped some of them, and engaged in sexist sloganeering.Videos shared on social media show men scaling the boundary walls, walking through the campus and raising slogans.After initially noting that no complaints had been lodged, Delhi Police have taken suo motu cognisance and registered an FIR against unknown persons.Students alleged that many of the men who entered the campus also entered classrooms and spoke rudely.Some allegedly raised the sexist slogan, “Ramjas ka naara hai, Miranda poora hamara hai‘ (Ramjas’s slogan is all of Miranda is ours).”Men from Ramjas College with their sexist slogan, “Ramjas ka Naara hai, Miranda poora hamara hai”. Ramjas’s slogan, all of Miranda is ours. Despicable. pic.twitter.com/TqXGjgCWXV— Sobhana (@sobhana__) October 15, 2022My sister told me they flocked all the gates and demanded to be let in claiming that they wouldn’t let anyone go in or out if they were not allowed inside. Jammed the main road and had to be ultimately led in to prevent further hooliganism. pic.twitter.com/ItFyMpKmHQ— Dr. SSK (@iamshubhamsk) October 16, 2022Miranda college principal B. Nanda told PTI that the crowd was “unprecedented” and for the safety of students the gates were closed.“This did not deter the crowd who tried to enter the college after scaling the walls. Police immediately took action and controlled the situation,” Nanda told PTI.Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal said the commission has sent a notice to Delhi Police and college administration regarding the matter.Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Sagar Singh Kalsi said they have booked the persons under sections of trespass based on the video.In its initial statement, the police said the event was ‘incident free’ and claimed that no men entered the college, even though videos show otherwise. Their statement, reported by the news agency PTI, was as follows:“On 14 October 2022, there was a Diwali Mela celebration programme in Miranda House College and entry was allowed for all college students. At some point, huge crowd gathered inside and so, for some time, the entry gates had to be closed by college administration.“Some students (3-4) were trying to enter to see the Diwali Mela by climbing the walls. They were stopped and they could not enter inside the college premises. This is the video of that time.“Pertinent to mention is that no complaint has been received as alleged by the school admin also. And also, the programme was very peaceful and incident-free.”Note: This article was updated to include the registration of an FIR against unknown persons.
