The alleged rape of a 21-year-old student of the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) brings up the issue of safety around the campus of NLSIU, Bangalore University in particular and the City in general.
The student community at the NLSIU is shocked at the incident and was willing to comment only on the condition of anonymity. It has brought back unpleasant memories of the murder of a student in 2008. This is the second gruesome incident related to the law school.
The students living on campus say that it is safe, but going out after dark can be a bit troublesome. In addition to the small eateries and restaurants around the law school campus, there are a couple of bars near Nagarabhavi Junction and Chandra Layout, close to NLSIU. There's 24-hour security on campus and the students have to make a note of their entry and exit time at the main gate. The gates remain open till 8 pm for the first-year students to return to the campus and those in the second year and above have a midnight deadline.
A third-year student says she feels totally safe on campus. "The campus is a small place and the students know each other. We can call anybody on campus in an emergency and they will come rushing in. Such is the rapport we share," she says. She further points out, "I think personal safety is more important. We usually leave campus in groups and return at the stipulated time. All our needs are met on campus and we go out only if we want a change from the routine."
A first-year student, still coming to terms with the incident, says she never leaves campus after dark. "It's not safe to walk around the college after dark. Although, the Bangalore University campus is well lit, it is unsafe for women to go that side."
While the boys stray out more than the girls, after dark, a few of them prefer to stay on campus. A third-year student says, "There are so many bars around this junction where the local goons hang out and it isn't safe, especially for young girls to be seen out of campus after dusk. The place around our college is usually secluded after dark."
Parents, who have their wards studying at NLSIU, feel that safety and security is also individual responsibility. A parent, who didn't want to be identified says, "This is a prestigious university and I think students must be more responsible when they are on campus, especially when they are staying away from their parents. Freedom on campus must not be misused."
A faculty member of NLSIU states, "We can monitor what the students do on campus and but when they go out, we don't know where they go and what they do."
Owing to a few incidents of robbery, the gate on the frontal of the Bangalore University vice-chancellor's office to the NLSIU has been shut for the last 15 days, informs DCP (west division) S N Sidramappa. He adds, "There are two Cheetahs and one Hoysala regularly patrolling these areas but looks like they (victim and friend) sneaked in."
The student community at the NLSIU is shocked at the incident and was willing to comment only on the condition of anonymity. It has brought back unpleasant memories of the murder of a student in 2008. This is the second gruesome incident related to the law school.
The students living on campus say that it is safe, but going out after dark can be a bit troublesome. In addition to the small eateries and restaurants around the law school campus, there are a couple of bars near Nagarabhavi Junction and Chandra Layout, close to NLSIU. There's 24-hour security on campus and the students have to make a note of their entry and exit time at the main gate. The gates remain open till 8 pm for the first-year students to return to the campus and those in the second year and above have a midnight deadline.
A third-year student says she feels totally safe on campus. "The campus is a small place and the students know each other. We can call anybody on campus in an emergency and they will come rushing in. Such is the rapport we share," she says. She further points out, "I think personal safety is more important. We usually leave campus in groups and return at the stipulated time. All our needs are met on campus and we go out only if we want a change from the routine."
A first-year student, still coming to terms with the incident, says she never leaves campus after dark. "It's not safe to walk around the college after dark. Although, the Bangalore University campus is well lit, it is unsafe for women to go that side."
While the boys stray out more than the girls, after dark, a few of them prefer to stay on campus. A third-year student says, "There are so many bars around this junction where the local goons hang out and it isn't safe, especially for young girls to be seen out of campus after dusk. The place around our college is usually secluded after dark."
Parents, who have their wards studying at NLSIU, feel that safety and security is also individual responsibility. A parent, who didn't want to be identified says, "This is a prestigious university and I think students must be more responsible when they are on campus, especially when they are staying away from their parents. Freedom on campus must not be misused."
A faculty member of NLSIU states, "We can monitor what the students do on campus and but when they go out, we don't know where they go and what they do."
Owing to a few incidents of robbery, the gate on the frontal of the Bangalore University vice-chancellor's office to the NLSIU has been shut for the last 15 days, informs DCP (west division) S N Sidramappa. He adds, "There are two Cheetahs and one Hoysala regularly patrolling these areas but looks like they (victim and friend) sneaked in."