Several students of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in Pune staged protests on Monday and Tuesday after multiple first-year examinees were allegedly subjected to non-consensual body contact, including frisking, pat-downs, and even a harrowing strip-search.
Student Allegations
According to an email sent by the general secretary of the IISER Student Council, a first-year female student was called out of the examination hall on April 24 and asked to remove her jacket. After observing alleged notes written on her hand, she was taken to a room with no cameras and allegedly strip-searched by a female housekeeping staff member.
The council's letter stated that the housekeeping staff forced the student to disrobe despite her clearly communicated non-consent and verbal protest. Students alleged that when questioned, the staff claimed their actions were part of frisking guidelines provided by the dean of academics. The letter also mentioned a first-year male student who was asked to remove his jacket and patted down, and another female student who was asked to lift her shirt but was let go when nothing was found.
Institute Response
Responding to the allegations, IISER Pune issued a written statement saying, "The IISER Pune administration is aware of the complaints by students about an incident of malpractice during recent end-sem examinations. A committee will investigate the incident fairly and follow all the existing protocols of investigation."
However, in a meeting between students and university officials, the latter denied that any disrobing took place and stated that the two rooms had been set up solely for frisking and patting down suspected students, for their own privacy and dignity.
Student Demands
The students are demanding the following actions from the institute:
- Immediate removal of the dean of academics, the IC presiding officer, and the associate dean of academics.
- An unconditional apology from the persons in charge.
- A written assurance that the practice of strip-searches and any humiliating exercise will cease.
- Constitution of an ad hoc investigation committee with equal student representation and appointment of faculty members by student vote.
- A written assurance that the housekeeping staff will not face any action or ill-treatment.
The protest highlights growing concerns over student privacy and dignity during examination procedures at educational institutions.
