The sad shadow Prakriti Lamsal, a 20-year-old Nepali student at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar, passed recently has thrown over the campus. This episode started demonstrations and exposed a general culture of harassment and intimidation inside the university. Though anti-ragging rules exist, many events have been documented, usually under cover of political pressures that encourage silence and fear. The way the government has responded to student demonstrations has been characterized by threats of expulsion, therefore silencing voices advocating justice. Official comments on social media sites have shown a resistance to admit institutional responsibility, presenting a picture of an institution in which the search of safety and education is subordinated to power relations.
Tag: sexual harassment
The Plight of Women Judicial Officers in Rajasthan
The case of women judicial officers in Rajasthan is also a good example that illustrates systemic flaws in the judiciary. Despite having an ascending curve, these judicial officers have not been provided with proper infrastructure, and they also suffer harassment by male colleagues besides heavy pendency in most districts, especially remote ones like Barmer and Jaisalmer. The cases of Eliza Gupta may have discussed prevalence of harassment, but the lack of redressal mechanisms being gender sensitive has only intensified it. The cultural prejudice would further more affect the authoritative position of women magistrates. Greater amenities, independent grievance committees, and training at the workplace are included within the urgent change required. The paper examines the struggles of women in the judiciary of Rajasthan to seek systemic changes for fairness, dignity, and equity in a profession.