Aim
Formed in December 2017, following the #MeToo movement’s reckoning with sexual assault and institutions that perpetuate it, the Alliance of Oversensitive Women, as the NLS Feminist Alliance (NLSFA), is often also called, strives to foster gender equality, intersectional inclusion, and diversity at NLSIU and beyond. It seeks to actively dismantle patriarchal norms and misogyny by creating safe spaces—both physical and discursive—for students from all gender identities.
Beyond its strong foundation, NLSFA aims to deepen its commitment to intersectionality by targeting programming around caste-based oppression, ableism, and regional disparities, bridging feminist discourse with broader social justice imperatives.
We engage in regular consultations with faculty, administrative authorities, and the committees under various disciplinary codes, which we hope will consolidate reforms in institutional policy—especially relating to the Sexual Harassment Inquiry Committee (SHARIC), disciplinary protocols, and sexual harassment adjudication.
Our Work
#NotASafeSpace Sessions
These open forums, a signature series of events by the collective, push boundaries by encouraging conversational honesty on matters related to gender, patriarchy and navigating the University campus. Employing an open ethos where no topic is too sensitive, they encourage students to engage across hierarchies and identities in candid dialogue in order to promote mutual understanding.
Post #MeToo Dialogue
In response to the global #MeToo movement, NLSFA hosted one of the earliest dedicated conversations in Indian universities on consent, harassment, and institutional response mechanisms which drew over 100 students – signalling NLSFA’s reach and ambience of trust.
Yamuna Nights
These informal gatherings of gender minorities serve as vital “safe-environment” forums -spaces to share information, process the impacts of patriarchy, and discuss lived experiences of gendered oppression, belonging, and resistance, away from institutional scrutiny.
Intersectionality through Workshops & Privilege Walks
To highlight and arrest campus myopia around privilege, NLSFA orchestrates interactive workshops (like the Privilege Walk), thematic reading groups, and film screenings focussing on sex, consent, oppression, solidarity, and feminist thought. A key focus of these events is the intersectional nature of gendered oppression and how it interacts with other marginalisations like queerness, caste, religion and disability.
Feminist Judgments/Judgments Rewriting Project
In collaboration with faculty (notably Prof. Aparna Chandra) and other student collectives, NLSFA is part of a broader movement to reframe landmark court judgments through feminist perspectives missing in the original, as well as perspectives on caste, queerness and disability.
Policy Advocacy & Institutional Reform
The Alliance actively engages with institutional norms, suggesting amendments to NLSIU’s SHARIC code, (a POSH equivalent for the prevention of sexual harassment), proposing updates to the SBA Constitution, and advocating for more inclusive leadership models (e.g., co-presidential structures with reservation for gender minorities).
Solidarity & Outreach
NLSFA goes beyond the Law School’s gates by participating in public movements like the 2019 gender-equity protests and campaigns such as May It Please Your Lordship and standing alongside the NLS Queer Alliance (NLSQA) in condemning anti-marriage-equality statements by the Bar Council.
Digital Advocacy & Student Awareness
Maintaining a robust presence on social media, and via mailing lists, the Alliance demystifies campus redressal mechanisms and advocates for broader societal and institutional feminist transformations.
Membership
NLSFA is open to all students, irrespective of programme or gender identity. Prospective members complete a short, written form expressing interest and commitment, followed by a selection interview. To enhance inclusivity, the Alliance actively seeks a membership that represents diverse axes of marginalisation including caste, queerness, disability, and more. Organisationally, NLSFA operates via a two-tier structure: Core Members, who lead programming and strategic work, and Lite Volunteers, who support execution, with fluidity allowing movement between tiers.
Contact Us
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Social media: Instagram