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Sexual misconduct allegations; Students’ union demands suspension of ‘tainted’ professor
As a temporary measure to address the issue, the professor was transferred to Kapurthala research station on July 31
: Members of the Punjab Agricultural University Students Association (PAUSA) on Sunday demanded suspension of the professor, who was accused by a female student of sexual misconduct, saying that transferring the teacher to a different workplace will not provide a viable solution as they pose a potential threat to the new environment.
A high-powered committee constituted by the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) to investigate allegations of sexual harassment against a professor of entomology department had handed over the case to the sexual harassment committee, which will further investigate the matter and determine appropriate disciplinary actions in accordance with the law in the coming week.
As a temporary measure to address the issue, the professor was transferred to Kapurthala research station on July 31.
Expressing displeasure over the panel’s decision, PAUSA members warned of launching a stir and disrupting university activities if the professor is not immediately suspended and strict legal action is not taken against him.
PAUSA member Babanpreet Singh said, “The professor should be suspended immediately as he poses a threat to society. Number of complaints against the professor, since the letter detailing the allegations went viral on social media, are rising. Though legal action will follow through court proceedings, university must take proactive measures by suspending the guilty professor.”
Addressing the students’ demands, TS Riar, additional director of communication at PAU, stated that the case of the professor is now under the purview of the sexual harassment committee. The committee is scheduled to convene this week and will determine the appropriate course of action based on its investigation.
Riar said that an FIR will also be filed against the professor based on the committee’s findings. The professor has been transferred to Kapurthala a week ago, a move officials claim was intended to avoid any interference in the ongoing investigation.
Earlier on Sunday, a letter, detailing allegations of sexual misconduct, by anonymous students went viral on various social media platforms and was addressed to Punjab governor Banwari Lal Purohit. The letter not only shed light on the recent incident but also called for an investigation into past cases of sexual harassment. Urging governor’s personal intervention, the letter sparked urgency among university authorities, officers, and teaching staff.
