University sets `safety deadline' for women

Lucknow: TNN





The vice-chancellor (VC) of a Central University in Lucknow issued an order on Monday , asking the women staff on campus not to work out of their offices beyond 6 pm. R C Sobti, the VC of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU) said the order (a copy of which is with TOI) was to ensure the safety of women, including administration staff and faculty members. It further stated that women will have to seek prior permission from the VC if they want to stay in their offices beyond the stipulated time.

According to university spokesperson Govind Pandey , the move is aimed at protecting women from increasing harassment cases.“In recent times, there have been a number of incidents in which women are at the receiving end and it is to avoid any untoward incidents that the vice-chancellor has asked women employees not to stay in office beyond 6pm,“ Pandey said. The diktat's term has been criticised by the university's women employees, who claimed it was an attempt to restrict their freedom.

Some staff members criticised the move as it would hinder them in discharging their duties. “The university has two doctors, one male and one female, who on rotation basis do the night shift after 8pm. The order means woman officer will not report to work because she has a night shift every alternate day and won't that hamper healthcare services,“ said an employee.