Victory of the Students of University of Madras: Protest Sparks Action against Gender Discrimination and failure of the Democratic Management system
On February 12, Students of the University of Madras staged a powerful protest on campus on Wednesday, voicing strong opposition to the discriminatory and authoritarian practices of the university administration.
The protest took place in front of the main building and the Registrar’s office at the University of Madras, Chepauk campus. It began at 2:30 PM and continued until 6:00 PM. More than 50 students actively participated in the protest, raising their voices in solidarity against unfair hostel policies and administrative negligence.
The demonstration brought attention to long-standing issues within the university hostels, which had been repeatedly raised by students but consistently ignored by the administration.
The protest primarily focused on the discriminatory policies affecting female students residing in the University’s PG Hostel, as well as the administration’s continued lack of responsiveness. The students demanded immediate action and accountability from university authorities.
Initially, the protest began in front of the main building at the Chepauk campus. Although students demonstrated peacefully for some time, the administration failed to respond or acknowledge their concerns. In response, the students staged their demonstration infront of the university Registrar’s office.
After several hours of protest, the students were invited into the Registrar’s office for a negotiations. At first, the administration did not agree to the students’ demands. However, the negotiation continued for nearly one and a half hours and involved student representatives, the Dean of Students, hostel wardens, campus directors, and associate professors.
Following a long and challenging conversation, the Registrar of the University of Madras, Mr.Elumalai, agreed to all the demands presented by the students and authorised the agreement with his signature. This marked a significant victory for the students of university of Madras.
The protesting students celebrated the outcome as a meaningful step forward for campus democracy and called on their peers to continue strengthening student representation and unity at the University of Madras.
Demands Submitted by Students and Accepted by the University Administration
- Complete Removal of Hostel Curfew
The curfew system, especially targeting female students with a 7:30 PM gate-closing time, was criticized for being gender-discriminatory and harmful to women pursuing part-time work or engaging with society. Students demanded that curfews be completely abolished for all hostels, regardless of gender. - Campus Safety & Maintenance
Overgrown bushes around the hostels were reported to pose safety and hygiene risks. Students demanded that these be cleared to prevent potential crimes and improve living conditions on campus. - Democratic Representation in Women’s Hostel
Students demanded the democratic election of the General Secretary post in the women’s hostel. Currently, the position is restricted only to Ph.D. scholars, excluding postgraduate (PG) students from contesting. This often leads to unopposed candidates and limited participation. Students called for PG students to also be allowed to contest, promoting broader representation and a truly democratic election process. - Equal Authority for Women’s Hostel Secretaries
The General Secretary and Mess Secretary of the women’s hostel had reportedly been denied equal authority in key areas such as food purchasing and mess budget management. Students demanded that the women’s hostel secretaries be granted the same decision-making powers as their male counterparts. Additionally, joint secretaries in the hostel council were reportedly subjected to hierarchical discrimination. - No Parental Policing
Students objected to hostel wardens and Heads of Departments HOD’s reporting students’ movements and personal lives to their parents. This act was criticized as a violation of personal autonomy and privacy, causing mental distress and negatively affecting the academic environment. - Student Elections for University Student Council
The students demanded that free and fair elections be held to establish a democratically elected Students’ Council for the university. - Allotment of Students’ Council Room for Women
A dedicated Students’ Council room in the T3 women’s hostel was demanded to provide space for discussion, representation, and student engagement. Such a facility had only been provided in the men’s hostel, highlighting a clear gender disparity.
Victory for Students’ Rights and Democratic Representation
The protest concluded on a high note as University of Madras The Registrar Elumalai signed and accepted all the demands submitted by the students. This outcome is being celebrated as a significant milestone in the students’ ongoing struggle for equality, safety, and democratic representation.
The students of the University of Madras have called on their peers to stay united and continue raising their voices for a more equitable, safe, and student-friendly campus environment.
