Every morning, young women in Delhi embark on their day carrying not just books, but also a persistent sense of fear. Recently, this chilling reality was brutally underscored when a 20-year-old Delhi University student became the victim of an acid attack near Laxmi Bai College in Ashok Vihar. This horrific incident has once again ignited a critical and agonizing question: can India’s capital truly ensure the safety of its female students?
Despite its proud status as India’s premier educational center, Delhi consistently falls short in protecting its young women. The daily threats—ranging from stalking and sexual harassment to poorly lit streets and slow-moving justice—have become tragically commonplace. This recent assault isn’t an isolated act of barbarism; it’s another link in a relentless chain of violence, laying bare the empty promises of safety, accountability, and respect for women in the capital.
The victim, a second-year student from Mukundpur, was making her way to college when she was ambushed by three men. This wasn’t merely a cruel act; it was a devastating blow to the collective feeling of security that Delhi’s students, particularly its women, have long campaigned for.
A Daylight Attack
Police reports indicate that the student was approaching the campus when a man identified as Jitender, accompanied by two others, Ishan and Arman, arrived on a motorcycle. The victim stated that Ishan passed a bottle to Arman, who then callously threw acid on her. Though she attempted to protect her face, both her hands sustained injuries. The attackers swiftly fled the scene. The student further informed authorities that Jitender had been stalking and harassing her, and that a heated altercation approximately a month prior. She is currently undergoing treatment at Deep Chand Bandhu Hospital.
Following the incident, Crime and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) teams promptly inspected the site. Based on the victim’s testimony and the extent of her injuries, a case has been filed under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and a thorough investigation is in progress.
SFI: A Symptom of Systemic Indifference
The Students’ Federation of India (SFI), Delhi University, issued a strong condemnation, calling the attack a stark “reflection of systemic negligence and indifference” from those responsible for women’s safety. The SFI highlighted the alarming nature of such a crime occurring in broad daylight, directly outside a women’s college, in a city with a history of similar violence. They referenced previous incidents, including the discovery of an acid bottle near Miranda House, to emphasize the persistent insecurity on Delhi’s college campuses, despite public outcry.
The organization criticized what it called “tokenistic gestures and empty slogans” from authorities, arguing that these have failed to deliver genuine security. They also pointed fingers at previous university student union leaders for prioritizing “theatrics and partisan politics” over the crucial issue of gender justice. The SFI concluded its statement by declaring, “The continuous failure to ensure women’s safety in Delhi is not just incompetence, it must be called complicity.”
NCW Calls for Immediate Action and Support
Responding proactively, the National Commission for Women (NCW) took suo motu cognizance of the case and dispatched a letter to the Delhi Police Commissioner, demanding an Action Taken Report within five days. The NCW’s directives include:
- Immediate arrest and prosecution of the accused under all applicable laws.
- Comprehensive medical treatment, compensation, counseling, and long-term rehabilitation for the victim, as stipulated by the Delhi Victim Compensation Scheme.
- Ensuring police adherence to Sections 357A and 357C of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which are designed to guarantee victim protection and compensation.
Emphasizing that acid attacks represent “among the most brutal crimes against women,” the NCW asserted that such acts demand zero tolerance and serve as a basis for exemplary punishment.
Fear Extends Beyond Campus Walls
While the college proctor confirmed that the attack occurred off-campus, they acknowledged its profoundly disturbing impact on the student community. The official stated full cooperation with the police and assured support for affected students. However, a more pervasive worry persists: even areas immediately surrounding educational institutions are proving unsafe for women. Inadequate street lighting, insufficient police patrols, and sluggish emergency responses continue to expose critical systemic failures in Delhi’s approach to student safety.
Student Life Defined by Fear
Delhi’s acclaimed status as India’s education capital is increasingly overshadowed by its troubling safety record. A Performance Grading Index for Districts (PGI-D), published by the Union Education Ministry in June 2025, revealed that North East Delhi, a major student hub, received a dismal safety score of just 23 out of 35 points – the lowest in the capital. This national index, which evaluated 788 districts, specifically flagged Delhi’s safety infrastructure as a “systemic concern.”
This low grade directly reflects the ongoing pattern of incidents across university areas, including acid attacks, harassment, and reported stalking near women’s colleges. Education experts emphasize that these aren’t merely statistical alerts; they are stark indicators of the profound, daily fear that defines student life in Delhi. These figures underscore how inadequate safety measures and weak enforcement mechanisms consistently erode the sense of security that educational environments should ideally offer.
A Generation Demanding Action, Not Empty Promises
From the tragic 2012 Nirbhaya case to numerous acid attacks over the last decade, Delhi’s assurances of “safe streets” and “women-friendly campuses” have remained largely unfulfilled rhetoric. Student organizations are now demanding tangible interventions, such as mandatory safety audits for routes, comprehensive CCTV surveillance around women’s colleges, improved lighting and increased police patrols, and widespread gender sensitization programs across all campuses.
The persistent cycle of crimes against female students starkly illustrates the chasm between official promises and actual implementation. This raises serious questions about the true commitment of the capital’s institutions to women’s safety, beyond mere statements and press releases.
The Lingering Question
As Delhi grapples with the shock of yet another acid attack—this time impacting a college area frequented by thousands of young women daily—the fundamental issue extends far beyond apprehending three individuals on a motorcycle. The pressing question is why, despite years of public outrage, new laws, and awareness campaigns, female students in India’s capital are still forced to constantly evaluate their personal safety simply to pursue their education.
Until this profound question receives a meaningful answer and decisive action, Delhi’s educational spaces—its classrooms, campuses, and college entrances—will continue to be haunted by an pervasive shadow of fear.