Nirma University Students Observe ‘Black Day’ Over Hostel Incident

AHMEDABAD: More than 1,000 students of Nirma University staged a ‘Black Day’ protest on campus on Thursday, accusing the university administration of failing to take adequate action after a video allegedly showing a labourer engaging in an obscene act near the girls’ hostel went viral.

Students arrived on campus dressed in black and carrying placards as they demanded accountability over the incident involving the under-construction H-5 girls’ hostel block, located opposite the existing H-4 girls’ hostel.

According to students, the labourer allegedly engaged in an obscene act directed towards female students staying in the H-4 hostel. The students said they submitted a complaint to the university along with video evidence and expected disciplinary action against the person involved.

However, students alleged that instead of taking punitive action, the university installed a green mesh net around the girls’ hostel. They also claimed that a security guard made comments about the students’ clothing when they raised the issue.

The alleged lack of action has triggered growing resentment among students, who said many were initially reluctant to protest openly because of concerns about possible action against those lodging complaints.

Unable to organise a direct protest initially, students took their campaign to social media. An Instagram page was created to mobilise students and raise awareness about the issue, following which a call was issued to observe a ‘Black Day’ on campus.

Students on Thursday responded by wearing black and holding placards, turning the campus into a visible demonstration against the administration’s handling of the matter.

The protest has also raised questions among students over campus safety, accountability and the mechanism for addressing complaints involving female students.

Students said the installation of a mesh net does not address the alleged misconduct and demanded that the university investigate the incident and take appropriate action based on the evidence submitted.