TNNLU Protest Erupts Over VC V Nagaraj’s Remarks on Women’s Clothing; Students Demand Apology
Mumbai: A major protest broke out at Tamil Nadu National Law University (TNNLU) in Tiruchirappalli after Vice-Chancellor V Nagaraj sparked outrage with remarks linking women’s clothing to sexual harassment.
The controversy began after Nagaraj, during a meeting with Class Representatives, allegedly stated that female students wearing shorts “invite sexual harassment” and can act as a “distraction,” even for faculty members. The comments quickly triggered backlash across campus.
In response, students assembled outside the university’s administrative block in a show of protest, many deliberately wearing shorts to challenge the remarks. Raising slogans such as “Change the mindset, not our dress,” the demonstrators called for accountability and a shift in institutional attitudes.
In a strongly worded statement, the student body condemned the Vice-Chancellor’s comments, asserting that such views perpetuate harmful stereotypes and place undue responsibility on victims. “These statements are not just inappropriate but reflect a deeper issue that normalises harassment,” the statement read. Students also demanded a formal public apology, an independent institutional inquiry, and a clear affirmation that clothing choices do not contribute to harassment.
Despite the backlash, Nagaraj has defended his comments, claiming they were misinterpreted and taken out of context. He reportedly described his remarks as “fatherly advice” intended for student welfare.
However, students pointed out that this is not an isolated incident. They referenced a similar controversy in 2016 when Nagaraj, then associated with National Law School of India University (NLSIU), allegedly made comparable remarks about a female student’s attire. According to protesters, this pattern raises serious concerns about institutional conduct and sensitivity.
Professor Nagaraj, a senior academic with over three decades of teaching experience, has previously held leadership roles at National Law University Odisha and Dharmashastra National Law University. He has also been a research scholar at international institutions, including Vanderbilt Law School in the United States and the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom.
The protesting students have urged the wider legal academic community, including other National Law Universities, to support their stand. As the situation develops, pressure continues to mount on the university administration to address the issue and respond to student demands.
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