The Ongoing Protests at Gudlavalleru Engineering College A Call for Justice and Accountability
They seize laptops, phones and other electronic gadgets of the suspects, form five-member probe team; students call off 15-hour protest but girls decide to stay away from classes till probe is completed; Naidu directs officials to update him on progress of case
Massive protests continued at Gudlavalleru Engineering College in Andhra Pradesh’s Krishna district on Saturday, a day after students alleged that a hidden camera was installed in the washroom of the girls’ hostel.
Police suspect the role of two senior students, including a girl student, of Seshadri Rao Gudlavalleru Engineering College (GEC), in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh in the alleged fixing of hidden cameras in the girl’s toilet of the college hostel. They seized the laptops, mobile phones and other electronic gadgets of the suspects on Friday, August 30.
A high-level inquiry was initiated into the incident following the intervention of chief minister Chandrababu Naidu.
The action follows protests by the students on the college premises since Thursday night, after a few girl students alleged that some miscreants had installed spy cameras in the toilets of the girls’ hostel. Students boycotted classes and continued protests till Friday noon demanding action against the accused.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu ordered an inquiry into the allegations and directed the State Mines Minister K. Ravindra, the Collector and the Superintendent of Police of the district to visit the college. Mr. Naidu told the officials to update him directly on the progress of the investigation.
The students called off the 15-hour protest after Mr. Ravindra, Pedana MLA Kagita Krishna Prasad, Pamarru MLA Varla Kumar Raja, Krishna district Collector D.K. Balaji, and Superintendent of Police R. Gangadhar Rao visited the college and assured them of bringing the culprits to book and rendering justice to them. However, girl students decided not to attend classes till the police complete the investigation.
Protesters alleged that cameras were installed in the women’s toilets a few days ago and that the warden and the college management failed to take any action despite complaints.
Tension prevailed for a while when leaders of the ABVP and other student unions tried to enter the college premises. Police arranged pickets as a precautionary measure.
Speaking to News18, Krishna distict Superintendent of Police (SP) Gangadhar Rao said a thorough probe is being conducted but, so far, the police have not recovered any hidden camera from inside the washroom as alleged by the students.
He also said they have seized two laptops and other electronic devices from the accused identified as Vijay Kumar, a student of the same college, who was zeroed in on based on the testimonies of the girls and some WhatsApp chats.
The students had alleged that nearly 300 obscene videos were recorded and circulated by the accused but the police investigation so far hasn’t been able to trace the videos in question. The SP also said the laptops of the accused were checked in front of the protesting girls and their parents but no video was recovered from the devices.
Meanwhile, protesters continued their demonstration, expressing their anger over the investigation.
Sharanya, a student, said: “What has the management been doing since the last one week? When we lodged a complaint once again on Friday, they paid no heed to that… overnight, they are saying this is fake news and threatening to file a case against us instead.”
The protesting girls also said the management was aware of the issue since a week but did not take action until the demonstration began.
Andhra Pradesh Women’s Commission chairperson Gajjala Venkatalakshmi has taken suo moto cognisance of the incident and urged the police to take strict action against the accused. She will also visit the campus on Saturday.
In recent days, the atmosphere at Gudlavalleru Engineering College in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, has been charged with intense emotion and urgency as students have mobilized in massive numbers to protest allegations of a deeply troubling incident. Following allegations that a hidden camera was installed in the washroom of the girls' hostel, the campus has transformed into a battleground for students demanding justice and accountability from both the institution's management and local authorities.
On Saturday, protests continued unabated, reflecting growing outrage among the student body. The allegations surfaced amidst claims from students that a fellow student, identified as Vijay Kumar, recorded and circulated approximately 300 obscene videos, capturing private moments without consent. The gravity of these accusations has prompted swift action, including a high-level inquiry initiated by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu himself, highlighting the seriousness with which the government and law enforcement are treating this disturbing event.
Krishna District Superintendent of Police, Gangadhar Rao, has confirmed the ongoing police investigation into the matter. Despite the heightened scrutiny, he noted that investigators have yet to recover any hidden camera from the washroom, as initially alleged by the students. This lack of tangible evidence in the investigation has not dampened the fervor of the protesters, who continue to seek accountability and transparency from both college administration and law enforcement officials.
The police have taken some initial steps in their investigation by seizing two laptops and other electronic devices from Vijay Kumar. The connection to him was established through the testimonies of the affected students, as well as through WhatsApp communications that indicated potential wrongdoing. However, the lack of recovered videos from the accused's devices has added to the frustration of the protesting students. Reports indicate that the laptops were examined in front of the students and their parents, yet no incriminating evidence came to light, leading many to question the efficacy of the investigation thus far.
The students have expressed discontent not only with the alleged invasion of privacy but also with the perceived inaction of the college administration. One of the protesting students, Sharanya, articulated the growing frustration among her peers, stating, “What has the management been doing since the last one week? When we lodged a complaint once again on Friday, they paid no heed to that… overnight, they are saying this is fake news and threatening to file a case against us instead.” This sentiment underscores a significant dissatisfaction with the response from the college, which many believe was tardy and dismissive of serious allegations.
The protests have rapidly gained momentum, with students accusing the management of turning a blind eye to the issue for an entire week prior to the demonstrations. The collective voices of the students reflect a demand for safety and respect, particularly within the confines of their own living spaces. The protests are not merely a response to allegations of wrongdoing but rather an assertion of their right to privacy, dignity, and security as young women in an educational setting.
In light of the evolving situation, the Andhra Pradesh Women’s Commission, under the leadership of Chairperson Gajjala Venkatalakshmi, has taken suo moto cognizance of the incident. She has urged the police to expedite their investigation and ensure strict action is taken against those found culpable. Venkatalakshmi's engagement with the matter signifies the urgency of not only addressing these allegations but also fostering a safer environment for women across educational institutions in the state. Her visit to the college underscores the expectation that authorities will prioritize the protection and empowerment of female students, thereby preventing such incidents in the future.
As the protests continue, the students of Gudlavalleru Engineering College are pushing for more than just an investigation; they are advocating for institutional change, accountability, and a guarantee of student safety. The implications of this incident reach far beyond the confines of the college campus; they resonate with broader societal issues surrounding gender-based violence, privacy rights, and the responsibilities of educational institutions to protect their students.
In conclusion, the ongoing protests at Gudlavalleru Engineering College bring to the forefront critical discussions regarding privacy, safety, and institutional responsibility. As investigations unfold, it is vital that all parties involved act with diligence and integrity, paving the way for a just resolution, while also taking significant steps to ensure that such incidents do not repeat in the future. The demands for transparency and accountability echo a broader call for societal change, fostering hope that students, especially young women, can pursue their education in environments that are safe, supportive, and respectful.
