Trigger Warning: Sexual Assault, Gaslighting

A member of the Ramjas debating society has reportedly assaulted various victims sexually.

It has been brought to the notice of the debating society of the Ramjas College, University of Delhi, that a member of the society, Agastya Rana has allegedly assaulted multiple victims sexually under several circumstances. This situation came to light after a victim came forward and reached out to the society. She claimed to have been molested by the alleged person at a party. 

“I experienced molestation, heavy groping, and attempts by Agastya to kiss me, undress me, and have sex with me while I was under the influence of alcohol and could not respond to him verbally or physically. My consent was violated. Following the incident of assault, Agastya Rana intimidated me by indirect threats of legal action, lied about the circumstances of the incident to acquaintances, and gaslit me into believing it did not happen in the first place. He repeatedly denied it happening and said he had no recollection of the incident as he was under alcohol intoxication too. In the days following, I spoke to Ramjas Debating Society regarding my assault as well as senior professors of the Equity Committee and appreciate the support and kindness they have extended to me.”

-Survivor via Ramjas Debating Society

The Ramjas Debating Society believes that the debating circuit has a culture of allowing entitled men to intimidate and harm women’s mental and physical health, both inside and outside the debating room, due to the power and privilege they hold. The aforementioned statement has been released by the society in the hope to prevent the harm the ostensible person in question might inflict upon anyone in the future. Further, multiple other individuals have come forward and spoken about their experiences through private channels with the Equity Committee of the Ramjas Debating Society and the survivor. 

After the survivor reached out to the society, the following day a meeting was held on the same agenda. The body unanimously agreed upon removing Agastya Rana from the society. This step was put into effect by the Internal Equity Committee. The Society accepts complete accountability and failure on their part. They extend their full support towards the survivor who has shown a great deal of courage and strength by coming forward. They further expressed their regret about the fact that individuals who have societal privilege consciously exploit their position. The Debating Society has a ‘Zero-Tolerance’ policy towards such acts and stands in complete solidarity with the survivor. The Society is dejected to come across such acts and feels the urgency, that these accounts highlight, to take concrete actions against individuals who do not realize the impact of their actions, and hence the society stands with all those who have experienced such heinous instances. 

A student, on the basis of anonymity, in conversation with DU Beat stated that a girl called the student in the early hours of the day and claimed that Agastya along with another guy (also from Ramjas) called her names like Baby-Girl and Darling.

In the morning, a girl from Delhi College of Arts and Commerce and another girl from Gargi College also texted me regarding Agastya. This is everywhere.”

-The Student

The Equity Committee of the Ramjas College received the complaint from another society member on behalf of the survivor. Based on the same, an investigation was conducted by the committee and a charge sheet was presented to the alleged Agastya Rana. As claimed by the committee, Agastya has accepted the charges against him and the following decisions were taken by the committee:

1. He has been permanently removed from the Ramjas Debating Society. 
2. His debating credentials earned as a member of the Ramjas Debating society are being taken away from him.
3. He is barred from using the name of Ramjas Debating Society for participating in any external debating tournaments or events in the future. 
4. He stands blacklisted from participating in any tournaments or events that the Ramjas Debating Society organizes in the future. 
5. The Ramjas Debating Society will boycott any external tournament or event that hosts him in any capacity.

The Debating Societies around the University of Delhi stand in complete solidarity with the survivor. Till now, a statement of Solidarity has been issued by the debating societies of Lady Shri Ram College, Daulat Ram College, Indraprastha College for Women, Shri ram College of Commerce, Sri Venkateswara College, Miranda House, and Gargi College. They have stripped alleged Agastya Rana to use the credentials gained through participating in tournaments hosted by the aforementioned colleges. He has been blacklisted by multiple colleges. The colleges condemn this culture of abuse and unfair power dynamics that allow such incidents to occur. While the incident can not be undone, the Debating Society from various colleges wants to make sure that the debating circuit is a safe and supportive space for the survivors to take a stand for themselves. They commend the survivor who bravely came out and made the community know about it at large. 

Featured Image Credits: livemint

Read Also:  Online Class Misdemeanour: Seven Students Suspended

College Student Accused of Multiple Cases of Sexual Harassment

The University of Delhi Stands With the Students of Gargi College

DU Beat