Jaipur College Women Voice Safety Concerns on Campus and Public Transport
Amid escalating concerns over harassment in the city, college-going women in Jaipur have expressed deep unease about their safety while commuting on crowded public buses and within the expansive Rajasthan University campus. They highlight significant gaps in enforcement and access control as primary contributors to their vulnerability.
Inadequate Campus Security Measures
Students report that existing CCTV coverage has failed to alleviate their fears, as outsiders can still enter the university premises freely without proper checks. A particularly troubling issue involves the location of hostels deep inside the campus, necessitating long walks after classes, often during dusk hours.
"Our hostel is situated quite inside the campus, forcing most girls to walk considerable distances after classes, which typically conclude around 6 pm. This coincides with the presence of many boys from outside the university, engaged in sports or other activities, who frequently pass comments or offer unsolicited lifts to girls walking back to their hostels. This creates an uncomfortable and intimidating environment for students," explained a third-year student from the University Law College.
Routine Safety Precautions and Demands
In response to these threats, sharing live locations with roommates has become a standard practice for many students, even during short walks to the main gate or late-evening returns. Students are urgently calling for random checks at bus stops and the deployment of security personnel to ensure immediate reporting of complaints.
Manjari Saxena, a resident of Mansarovar, shared a distressing experience: "I usually commute via the college bus, but during exams, I opt for public transport to save time. On one occasion, two boys persistently stared at me and loudly discussed pen marks on my hands. They repeatedly shouted their phone numbers and, when ignored, began announcing their social media handles. Despite other passengers being present, I felt paralyzed, uncertain how to react." She strongly advocates for increased police presence at bus stops.
Public Transport Vulnerabilities
Another student, Muskan Chaudhary from University Maharani College, who travels from Jhotwara, echoed these concerns. "It has become instinctual to carry our bags in front to prevent inappropriate touching, yet in overcrowded buses, such situations are often unavoidable. We must travel to college daily, so authorities must establish adequate complaint mechanisms or introduce women-only buses to ensure our safety," she emphasized.
University's Response and Challenges
Addressing the safety issues within the campus, Rajasthan University Proctor Prof. RA Sharma acknowledged the difficulties. "We previously deployed female guards at the university, but they discontinued their duties after a few days. Currently, we ensure that two guards patrol the campus after evening hours to enhance security," he stated, highlighting the ongoing challenges in maintaining consistent safety measures.
