Policemen outside Banaras Hindu University after violence broke out last week (File)
Banaras Hindu University or BHU today appointed its first woman chief proctor after her predecessor resigned taking moral responsibility for the recent
violence on the campus. The appointment was approved by Vice Chancellor Girish Chandra Tripathi following the
resignation of OP Singh.
"Royana Singh, an assistant professor at the Institute of Medical Science (Anatomy Department), has been appointed Chief Proctor," a senior BHU official said. "She is the first woman in varsity's history to hold the post and also heads the women grievance cell of the university," the official said.
The university also issued a statement confirming her appointment after Mr Singh quit the post, taking moral responsibility for the unrest on the campus.
Royana Singh said she has "zero-tolerance" toward eve-teasing and she was "away when the incident took place". "I was away when the incident took place. I have zero-tolerance towards such acts and will ensure nothing of this sort is repeated on campus," she said.
A number of students, including women, and two journalists were injured in a baton-charge by the police in BHU where a protest last week against an alleged eve-teasing incident turned violent.
BHU Vice Chancellor Girish Chandra Tripathi visited the hostel and held talks with students. He also accepted demands of the students over security concerns such as round-the-clock security, CCTV camera network, proper checking at the gates and recruitment of women security guards, among other issues, according to students.
Yesterday, Professor MK Singh of BHU Medical College was given interim charge of the post of chief proctor.
An internal four-page report by the former chief proctor and the vice chancellor had called the alleged act of molestation an
incident of "eve-teasing". Girl students at BHU have been protesting alleging gender bias in norms, and demanding round-the-clock security.