Girl students stage protest in Doda over unethical conduct, privacy violations
Srinagar: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, students of the Gujjar-Bakarwal Girls’ Hostel in Doda staged protests against harassment, mistreatment and serious violations of their privacy and dignity, forcing the authorities to relieve the hostel warden of her duties.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the students said the warden verbally abused them and forcing them to perform domestic chores, including cooking and washing. They also raised serious concerns over an incident in which a girl student was photographed while changing clothes, with the photographs shared with an individual linked to the occupation administration.
The revelations sparked protests by Scheduled Tribe students outside the hostel, prompting the authorities to remove the warden from her position. The students also complained of poor sanitation, inadequate food, insufficient lighting and the non-availability of basic supplies.
The hostel, established to facilitate education for Gujjar and Bakarwal girls, accommodates around 108 students from different areas of the Chenab Valley.
The students had earlier approached officials and lodged a police complaint, while parents and social and political representatives also demanded action against the warden.
The authorities have been urged to conduct a transparent investigation into the allegations, particularly those concerning harassment, privacy violations and reported health-related incidents among the students.
