Bengaluru: St Joseph Shift III University organises silent protest and candlelight vigil

Press release

Bangalore, August 31: In response to the recent case of a Kolkata doctor who was sexually assaulted and murdered, and the growing incidents of gender-based violence across the country, St Joseph’s University, Shift III, organised a silent protest and candlelight vigil on 27 August. The event, held on the university campus, was a poignant tribute to the victims of sexual violence.

The event, coordinated by NSS Unit 5 led by Programme Officer Mahesh DK, was attended by around 1,800 students and staff. Highlighting the staggering statistics of NCRB 2023, which reveal that 4,45,256 crimes against women were reported in 2022, which is almost one every minute, Deputy Programme Officer of NSS Unit 5 Dr Chandni Bhambhani delivered a compelling speech.

She stressed that these numbers represent only reported incidents, alluding to the vast, unreported crisis of gender-based violence. Connecting the statistics to stories of gender-based violence from childhood to workplace environments, she urged the public to confront uncomfortable realities. She asked, “When media coverage fades, why do we retreat into our comfort zones after protests and outrage?” She called for active, ongoing advocacy and systemic reforms to improve safety and justice for all.

Students demonstrated their solidarity by holding placards, giving powerful speeches and performing a skit. The skit aimed to raise awareness about sexual harassment in public spaces, criticize its normalization and highlight the importance of collective action to address the issue.

Students and staff were also joined by university leadership including the Vice Chancellor, Dr Victor Lobo SJ, and Team III Director, Fr Francis Pinto SJ.

The gathering highlighted the university community’s commitment to combating gender-based violence and advocating for a safer and more just society.