Students at Banaras Hindu University Protest for Safer Campus and Fairer Hostel Rules

Students at Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi stepped up their demands for a safer campus on Thursday evening with a torchlight procession organised by the ABVP unit. Holding lit torches and banners, they marched while raising slogans against the university administration and calling for stronger protection for women students.

The procession formed part of an indefinite protest that began in late September. Protesters have focused on lapses in campus security, the need for better lighting and CCTV coverage in vulnerable spots, and greater accountability from officials. A central demand remains the resignation of Chief Proctor Prof. Sandeep Pokhariya. Students have also questioned how a university auditorium was allocated for a programme on September 12.

Alongside the ABVP march, other student groups including AISA, Disha and BSM organised their own joint protest. Women students held a separate march, carrying posters and raising concerns about harassment and insecurity. Many pointed to the existing 10 pm curfew in girls’ hostels as an unfair restriction that does little to address actual safety gaps. They argued that real improvements in street lighting, surveillance and security personnel would serve students better than tighter entry rules.

Participants said basic infrastructure problems, including poorly lit roads and hostel-related issues, continue to affect daily life on the large campus. The agitation has included sit-ins at the central office and earlier symbolic actions. Student representatives have stressed they will continue until the administration engages with their core concerns around safety and fair treatment.

These issues impact on the daily ability of students living on campus, particularly in hostels, to move freely as to where and when they wish. Parents looking at how things are unfolding are likely to have the same concerns about whether the university is doing enough to provide a safe space.” Teachers and education aspirants aspiring to get into BHU may also note the administration’s response to such persisting student pressure.

University authorities have so far not announced any major policy shifts in response to the latest protests. The situation remains fluid as different student organisations keep the pressure on for practical steps that improve safety without unduly limiting freedom.