Students from Delhi University (DU) expressed deep distress, emphasizing that every girl faces harassment. They noted the contrast between how young men leave home without fear, while girls are forced to remain constantly vigilant.
This anger, which erupted on the streets of the DU campus in North Delhi, reflects a painful reality for every girl living in the capital city, who daily pays her freedom with her personal safety.
Following an incident involving the mistreatment of a 17-year-old girl in Astha Kundzh Park in South Delhi, the streets of DU were filled with slogans such as 'We women are free' and 'Halla Bol' (Let's make noise!). When Rajat Pandey from Lallantop spoke with participating students and some faculty members, all layers of official statements hidden behind slogans claiming 'everything is fine' were revealed.
On the day of the protest, students on the streets of the North campus displayed both anger and helplessness. Student Sonam and former student Miranda House Himani shared their sorrow, recounting how young men leave educational institutions without worry. However, girls first check the spray in their bags, and after leaving home, they constantly receive messages asking: 'Where are you? Are you okay? Hurry home.'
Sonam, who came from Bihar to Delhi, shared that she initially came to study, hoping for the open atmosphere of the capital, but now she has to fight daily for her life and honor.
Himani shared her personal experience: when she went to the police to file a report about her friend's stolen phone, the police mocked her clothing instead of helping, asking, 'Will you be walking around at night in such small clothes, and if something happens, will you come to us?'
When Anvesha, a former LSR student, began speaking, the eyes of everyone present welled up. She illuminated the bitter truth that society often ignores. She recounted how hooligans stopping cars near hostels and engaging in indecent acts (masturbation) are so frightening that one no longer dares to walk down that street alone.
Anvesha also noted that survivors of rape often suffer panic attacks in crowded places. People assume the incident is over, but for the girl, it dies every day. Society never allows her to live like a normal person; at every turn, in every glance, they remind her of what happened.
The pain was also voiced by a female professor who has been teaching at DU for the last 25 years. She described how the system completely drains the mental energy of girls. She mentioned that traveling to a seminar or film screening requires calculating the route ten times to ensure the event ends by three o'clock, allowing girls to return home before five. They have to beg their parents and constantly inform them of their location via phone.
The professor admitted that although the atmosphere has slightly improved, the previous period has returned. Accidental touches, tugging at clothes, and vulgar remarks on the road have become commonplace. The biggest misfortune is that everyone starts asking this girl: 'Why did you stay out late?'
In conclusion, it was noted that over the past 10 days, cases of mistreatment of four minors have been recorded in Delhi-NCR, including two children aged 7, 11, and 17. In Astha Kundzh Park, criminals exploited the victim's trust by posing as police officers. This is why girls from Gargi, LSR, Miranda House, and Kamala Nehru College took to the streets to clearly convey the message: stop locking us up under the pretext of safety. If you have the courage, prove that the streets are safe!