The Goa Human Rights Commission has taken suo moto cognisance and issued a notice to the vice-chancellor of Goa University after reports surfaced that some male students “paraded about” in their undergarments during the annual cultural festival at the University in February this year.
The alleged incident pertains to a competition ‘Third Degree’, held during the annual cultural festival organised by fourth year students. In the specific event, some male students allegedly took to the stage, stripped to undergarments and paraded about on the stage. An official said though participation was voluntary, some female students felt uncomfortable and complained to the authorities that it was “indecent”.
The Commission has asked the vice-chancellor to appear before it and submit a reply by July 23. The order, issued by the under-secretary of the Goa Human Rights Commission, read: “Taking suo-moto cognizance of the matter, which prima facie makes out violations of the human rights of the students, the Commission directs to issue notice to the Vice-Chancellor, Goa University, Taleigao Goa to submit his report/reply, so as to reach this Commission on or before July 23 at 10.30 am.”
Goa University Vice-Chancellor Harilal B Menon said an inquiry has already been initiated into the matter.
“The event was held without the approval of the University,” he said. “After some students complained, the inquiry was initiated and it is already ongoing. In the coming Executive Council meeting, it [inquiry report] will be placed before the Council and action shall be taken”.
Naushad Chowdhari, state president of National Students’ Union of India, told the media: “We condemned this event and had written to the University to bring the said event to a halt, but there was no action. The University is always under some controversy or scandal. Each time there is a controversy, they try to hush up the matter, instead of sorting it out. A task force should be formed to investigate all these matters”.
