Most people would consider getting into JNU a big achievement as JNU is undoubtedly one of the best educational institutions of our country. It’s a university known not only for its academic excellence but also for the vigour and rigour of intellectual interactions and its left-leaning political and liberal atmosphere.

As a student of this prestigious university, I regard it as one of the safest places for women in Delhi, maybe even India. Where else, would a girl feel completely safe going out and treating herself to a cup of tea at 1 o’ clock at night? Yet, the recent incident of a JNU student attacking another brutally in a classroom has challenged this very postulation of JNU. A million questions are being raised today about its security and culture. Some people are laying the blame on the lack of security in the place; there are those still who continue to question its liberal culture. Of late, one has witnessed increasing incidents of women harassment in JNU. One wonders, what’s responsible for these increasing incidents. Does it notify the degeneration of an entire generation, or a dilution of JNU values, which accredit utmost respect to women.

JNU has been far ahead of its time in terms of gender equality and sensitivity. It had co-ed hostels, even at the time, where opposite gender interaction was minimal in most educational institutions. How should one view this present incident, where a B.A. student from the School of Languages tried to murder a fellow classmate and later took his own life. Can it be seen in the larger context of increasing gender violence in the campus or does it just have to be seen as an isolated incident?

The JNU atmosphere allows for a free inter-mingling amongst the sexes, as one can witness students walking around in campus or enjoying snacks at the 24/7 dhabas at all hours. As a university of national stature, JNU attracts students from all over India. There are many students from villages and small towns who undergo a cultural shock in JNU. In fact, its culture is as surprising to a lot of students hailing from the metropolitan cities as well.

It takes everybody some time to get accustomed to the lifestyle here, but as the average age of students here is between 25-27, most people are matured adults who can avoid being blinded by the freedom that is offered. However, the students at Bachelors level are more vulnerable to being swayed by this sudden exposure to such freedom, as they’re younger and less mature.  I don’t think imposing deadlines in JNU hostels is the solution to the problem as it will definitely go against the very ethos of JNU. However, having a counselor or a professor or even senior students address the freshers, especially the Bachelors students, who might feel a little insecure in JNU in the beginning, can be of big help.

I think there’s a dire need of an open discussion that must be held with the newcomers in JNU regarding sex, culture and gender-sensitivity, without necessarily politicising it. It has to be personal and in such a way, that they answer the questions that one might have and help them learn to get accustomed to its culture, without crossing their personal boundaries. The transition from a homeland of students hailing from backgrounds, where there’s minimal interaction between opposite sexes to a place like JNU which is bustling with life and has an open and a free interaction amongst the sexes, needs to be made smooth and comfortable. This might help some of the students who tend to get swayed by the freedom they are suddenly exposed to, and even those who feel threatened or find themselves unable to adapt in such an environment, thus preventing depression and frustration.

Both the JNU administration and the student body need to step up and take actions that will help raise these problems as well, so JNU continues to be an institution par excellence.