Cases in Kathua, Hathras, Unnao, Odisha, and West Bengal as ‘burning examples’ of systemic assault on women, accusing the ruling class of protecting perpetrators, says the group
NEW DELHI — The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) has highlighted the deepening crisis of gender-based violence and systemic injustice in the country.
At a press conference here on Saturday, coinciding with the first anniversary of the rape and murder incident at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, the SFI released a booklet titled “Where Do We Stand After R G Kar? Discussing Gender, Violence, Justice” and presented a set of core institutional reforms aimed at ensuring women’s safety and dignity.
The press meet was addressed by SFI General Secretary Srijan Bhattacharyya, President Adarsh M Saji, Joint Secretary Aishe Ghosh, Vice President S. Shilpa, and CEC member Sooraj Elamon.
Speakers pointed to alarming statistics underlining India’s poor record on gender equity since 2014, the year the Narendra Modi government assumed office. Citing the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2025, India ranks 131 out of 148 countries. National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data shows a sharp increase in crimes against women, with exceptional surges in states such as Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Chhattisgarh.
The Unified District Information System for Education report reflects significantly lower enrolment rates for girls compared to boys, signalling high dropout rates, child marriage prevalence, and the “double oppression” faced by girl students. Issues like the spread of coaching mafias post-CUET, inadequate hostel facilities, campus curfews, and curriculum changes have further constrained women’s freedom in higher education.
SFI leaders described cases from Kathua, Hathras, Unnao, Odisha, and West Bengal as “burning examples” of systemic assault on women, accusing the ruling class of protecting perpetrators and promoting regressive social norms “inspired by the Manusmriti.” They alleged that the NDA government’s tenure has seen the nurturing of convicted rapists, political patronage to offenders, and relaxation of punishments.
In the RG Kar case, SFI alleged a “tacit BJP-TMC understanding” that prevented the CBI from conducting a proper inquiry, shielding the culprits from legal accountability.
SFI’s proposed measures to ensure campus safety, gender justice, and women’s dignity including revival and strengthening of GSCASH (Gender Sensitisation Committee Against Sexual Harassment), mandatory student union elections on all campuses.
SFI leaders stressed that without these institutional safeguards, India will continue to witness a “structural failure” in protecting women’s rights.
