To tackle sexual harassment, BJP seeks overcoats for girl students

BJP on Saturday alleged that girls in most government schools in Puducherry were facing sexual harassment.

Puducherry: Alleging that girls in most government schools in Puducherry were facing sexual harassment, BJP on Saturday asked the territorial administration here to supply overcoats to students in middle and high schools so that they could be assured of protection.

The government should ensure that all girl students beyond class five and upto class X in government schools were provided overcoats so that they could be assured of protection, BJP`s Puducherry General Secretary R V Swaminathan said in a release. Complaint boxes should be installed in all the schools and students facing threat to their safety could draw the attention of authorities, he said, adding, the victims belonging to poor families did not come forward to complain. Seeking stern action against teachers accused of sexual assault on girl students, Swaminathan said government should post only women teachers in government girls’ schools. In co-education institutions there should be "balanced appointment" of women teachers. He also wanted introduction of online complaint booking facility for girl students to complain about such incidents. PTI