The abhorrent display of misogyny as men climbed Miranda House’s walls and continued to harass women students during the Diwali Mela, Onella, on October 14, makes it apparent that treating women as objects of desire is far from being eradicated. The student who posted the video alleged that once the men entered the campus they engaged in “cat-calling, groping, sexist sloganeering and more”.
Men climbing over the walls to get into Miranda House during an open fest. What followed was horrible. Cat-calling, groping, sexist sloganeering and more. Men entering safe spaces to harass gender minorities is nothing new, but they out do themselves every time. pic.twitter.com/UkMAuJZKVU
— Sobhana (@sobhana__) October 15, 2022
Many came on social media to express their anger and frustration with the whole situation, demanding strict action to be taken against the men. The Delhi Police has registered a case against the unnamed suspects.
But this is not the first time or the last time that men will harass students in women’s colleges. HerZindagi talked to a few graduates from Miranda House who were outraged by the incident:
Such Incidents Have Happened Multiple Times In The Past
A recent graduate of Miranda House, Riya* said that during her first year in college in the same Diwali Mela, there was a lot of crowd, many people waiting to come in and the usual busyness. And she heard tales of men from Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), a student union, who jumped walls and broke boundaries, similar to what has happened in this situation.
“As shocking as it sounds, it is not such a big news for us students compared to everybody else who might be hearing about this for the first time,” she said.
Vanshika Bhagat, who graduated this year, saw a few videos and Instagram stories sent by juniors and found the incident highly distressing and the disquietude looms large within the Mirandian community. “But it was not surprising. We are accustomed to incidents like this, not only in Miranda House, but across the periphery of the North Campus,” she said. Men think it's their ‘janam sidh adhikaar’ (birthright) to gatecrash women’s college festivals.
Bhagat further said that this happens in Miranda House more often because their fests are long known to bar other college students from entering. “Our annual fest, Tempest, is closed for non-Mirandians because the administration knows very well that controlling a situation like this is near impossible.”
However, Miranda House isn’t the only college that experiences such crises. “In 2020, Gargi College experienced similar ruckus and even then there was public upheaval. That incident also captured the public imagination. All members of the student community raised our voice against that. But that is the extent to which action takes place. Beyond that, nothing comes out of it,” said Bhagat. “There was no pre-registration this year, a reason why the crowd was so uncontrollable. It is not like the administration could not fathom something like this happening.”
Incidents like these have also happened at the Chhatra Marg (the hostel gate) of Miranda House and Patel Chest, the famous hub of the Delhi University (DU) students which are assumed to be safe places.
Other fests held by the college such as the one held by the Sociology Department this year which welcomed students from across DU also saw an open show of chauvinism. “A lot of boys stormed in and whenever a girl would dance in the auditorium wearing a dress showing a little cleavage or backless, they would hoot like hooligans in the campus. The authorities called the Delhi police and the matter was cleared, and the celebration was made a closed affair,” said Bhagat. Such incidents can be preempted and resolved before they occur.
She alleges that what is being seen on social media is barely the tip of the iceberg. “The men were also manhandling women students and were seen trying to cross the hostel gate. Being a hosteller, this is a scary thing to imagine as it was deemed the safest place ever. Safai-karamcharis (cleaning ladies) were ill-treated and looked down upon as well.”
Moreover, Ramjas College which is near Miranda House has a slogan, “Ramjas ka naara hai, saara Miranda humaara hai” (Ramjas has an anthem, the whole of Miranda House is theirs). “This is clearly misogynistic which tends to mark a territorial claim over women treating them like property,” said Bhagat.
One does not feel at home at an institution which is not safe. “The sense of belonging of a lot of students has seen a blow as it is seen as a traditionally guarded establishment,” she said.
On the other hand, Anjalee Durgesh, an ex-student, said that she has heard stories of men masturbating outside the campus. “Miranda House is known to be an ideologically and physically safe space for self-expression and debate, but eve-teasing outside is commonplace,” she said.
She added that it was not easy to process a thing like this happening inside as even as an alumni member, to enter the premises required thorough checks by the security guards. “I can, however, see the security personnels being outnumbered by the men who entered illegally.”
Don't miss:PoSH Act: 9 Things Women Must Know About Reporting Sexual Harassment At Workplace
No big effect on Miranda House’s reputation
According to the students, this incident is not new and will keep happening. It has had no substantial effect on the prestige and reputation on the NIRF Ranking 1 College in India for the past four years. “It is sad that we do not account for safety or how well a college protects its students while considering rankings,” said Riya.
However, people have begun thinking that a space like Miranda House known for its academics, co-curricular activities, vast range of opportunities and beautiful lush green lawns, can prove to be a breeding ground for creeps. “There is certainly a degree of change in people’s perception of the college as the bad side is finally being highlighted by both media houses and students,” said Bhagat.
The common theme that has filled everyone’s sensibilities is that strong and independent women who assert their rights are seen as “loose characters” as they speak their minds. They are downgraded and seen not even as humans. Their loudness is deemed as ‘bitchy’ and their anger is invalidated at every turn. Miranda House is known to produce bold and out-going women whose achievements scare men because how can women stand out.
*Name changed upon request to maintain confidentiality
Also Watch:
Take charge of your wellness journey—download the HerZindagi app for daily updates on fitness, beauty, and a healthy lifestyle!
Comments
All Comments (0)
Join the conversation