Campus still feels unsafe, say girls; AU refuses to respond

Chennai: Now that A Gnanasekaran has been punished for rape, is the Anna University campus — where the rape took place on Dec 23, 2024 — a safer place than it was? Hardly.

Hours after a Mahila Court pronounced its verdict in the campus rape case, TOI visited Anna University to check if girls on campus feel reassured and safe. But, it found almost nil change in the way visitors were allowed to enter and exit at will without any check, overgrown bushes thriving uncleared and no one stopping anyone for verification. It was clear the university administration has done precious little to make it a safer campus for its students.

Many students said more needs to be done, especially removal of thickets. "There are still many dark and shady areas on campus that are not covered by surveillance cameras. The walking paths are overgrown with bushes. Though the aggressor was caught, the campus still doesn't feel completely safe," says a second-year student.

However, Despite repeated attempts to seek information, Registrar J Prakash did not respond.

Security personnel at the Kotturpuram-side entrance did not ask for ID cards or verify them. Visitors are merely asked to sign a logbook. The situation is not any different at the main gate, says a student, where people are let in if they have an ID card tag. "They do not check if those wearing it are students," says a first-year student.

After the rape case, the administration installed more CCTV cameras and lights. A second-year student said: "When we heard about the incident, we were scared to even talk to anyone. The hostel rules have become stricter now. We have to check in before 8.30pm, and if we are late, an inquiry is held before we are allowed inside. Yet, we are still scared to walk alone on campus after 6.30pm."

"Security patrols have increased since the incident — a vehicle with four guards now roams the campus at night, but at the main gate and the Kotturpuram gate, the guards still don't check students' IDs properly or match them with their faces," another student said.

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