Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 7: Students of Amar Singh College held protest on campus today against a faculty member, accused of harassing a female student, prompting the college administration to remove the accused teacher from academic duties.
Scores of students gathered on the campus demanding strict action against the faculty member and called for the teacher’s arrest, alleging that female students no longer felt safe inside the college.
According to students, the issue came to light during a media studies class when a female student directly confronted the faculty member in front of classmates and accused him of harassment. “One girl openly told the teacher in front of all the students that he had harassed her. The teacher accepted it there in front of everyone,” a protesting student alleged.
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The student claimed, protesters urged police to arrest the accused teacher, but alleged that the faculty member had already left the campus before police arrived. “We were requesting the police to arrest him. We girls are not feeling safe in college,” the student said.
The student also referred to another alleged harassment case in Sopore and demanded similar legal action in the present case.
Another student said female students were feeling insecure and feared parents might stop them from attending college if strict action was not taken. “We are feeling very unsafe. We are afraid of coming to college. If our parents hear about this, they may not allow us to come because this is the most reputed college in Srinagar,” another student said.
The student alleged that the issue had been ongoing for a long time and claimed the alleged victim had initially been afraid to speak out. “She was very scared to say this. These things had allegedly been happening since winter. Four days ago, she told her friends and then they brought the matter forward,” the student said.
College Principal Aijaz Ahmad Hakak said the allegations pertained to “verbal harassment” and that the administration had only been formally informed of the matter Thursday. “Regarding harassment, students are alleging verbal harassment. This is still in the preliminary stage,” Hakak told reporters.
“We have heard the students and noted their concerns. Our committee will look into the matter completely and submit a fact-based report to the Department of Higher Education for appropriate action,” he said.
Hakak said the college’s proctorial board, disciplinary committee and Internal Complaints Committee would examine the allegations in detail.
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