Nagpur: The Nagpur University (NU) got a new vice-chancellor, a massive new administrative building funded by the late Rahul Bajaj, and a new portal between 2018 and 2022. However, dedicated anti sexual harassment cell The above is distinguished by its absence from all platforms.
In 2018, a sexual harassment complaint was filed against former Pro-VC Gaurishankar Parashar and HOD Rajshree Vaishnav by an M.Ed student. The then VC SP Kane had announced not only to revive the Anti-Sexual Harassment Cell in Amaravati Road Complex, but also an additional cell in the old building of NU on Rabindranath Tagore Marg in Civil Lines.
Kane stepped down in April 2020 without fulfilling his commitment to the aggrieved students. Though office space has been allotted for this purpose in the new building, the room is locked. There is no information regarding redressal of complaints of sexual harassment throughout the building, surrounding premises and website. NU has also not included the contact details of SAIL in its official diary.
The office bearers of the cell are professors from NU PG departments from where they manage the complaints, if any, by way of additional fee. NU recently upgraded its website as well, but the new one has no option to report sexual harassment issues.
The latest controversy over a Hindi postgraduate department teacher allegedly having sex with two PhD students shows the importance of an easily available grievance forum. The victim girls had no idea how to get redress and contacted their guide, who then asked members of the Senate to raise the issue. A formal complaint is yet to be filed.
In accordance with the UGC regulations to prevent, prohibit and redress sexual harassment of women teachers and students in higher education institutions, the University is responsible for disseminating information on the mechanisms established for redressal of complaints relating to sexual harassment. It will also have to display the grievance procedure and the contact details of the members of the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) in the prospectus and notice board.
VC Subhash Chaudhary is keeping silence on the whole matter. He is yet to respond to TOI’s calls and messages on the issue. Cell in-charge Sangeeta Meshram also declined to comment.
Neelima Deshmukh, former member secretary of the cell, said that despite retiring three years ago, the students and the accused are calling her. “I was nominated as the NGO representative in the panel. Prior to this I was the director of the Center for Women’s Studies and Development. As I was nearing retirement, I was placed on the panel as an NGO representative. Now, I am not in a position to help them,” he said, adding that he was in the SAIL Humanities Block during his tenure.
Box
Higher education department takes note of NU case
The NU administration has been asked by the top officials of the higher education department to investigate the alleged case of sexual harassment of two PhD students. After this uproar, VC Subhash Chaudhary can constitute a panel on Monday itself. However, the panel is likely to be members of the teaching forum, who are not part of the university’s anti-sexual harassment cell.
In 2018, a sexual harassment complaint was filed against former Pro-VC Gaurishankar Parashar and HOD Rajshree Vaishnav by an M.Ed student. The then VC SP Kane had announced not only to revive the Anti-Sexual Harassment Cell in Amaravati Road Complex, but also an additional cell in the old building of NU on Rabindranath Tagore Marg in Civil Lines.
Kane stepped down in April 2020 without fulfilling his commitment to the aggrieved students. Though office space has been allotted for this purpose in the new building, the room is locked. There is no information regarding redressal of complaints of sexual harassment throughout the building, surrounding premises and website. NU has also not included the contact details of SAIL in its official diary.
The office bearers of the cell are professors from NU PG departments from where they manage the complaints, if any, by way of additional fee. NU recently upgraded its website as well, but the new one has no option to report sexual harassment issues.
The latest controversy over a Hindi postgraduate department teacher allegedly having sex with two PhD students shows the importance of an easily available grievance forum. The victim girls had no idea how to get redress and contacted their guide, who then asked members of the Senate to raise the issue. A formal complaint is yet to be filed.
In accordance with the UGC regulations to prevent, prohibit and redress sexual harassment of women teachers and students in higher education institutions, the University is responsible for disseminating information on the mechanisms established for redressal of complaints relating to sexual harassment. It will also have to display the grievance procedure and the contact details of the members of the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) in the prospectus and notice board.
VC Subhash Chaudhary is keeping silence on the whole matter. He is yet to respond to TOI’s calls and messages on the issue. Cell in-charge Sangeeta Meshram also declined to comment.
Neelima Deshmukh, former member secretary of the cell, said that despite retiring three years ago, the students and the accused are calling her. “I was nominated as the NGO representative in the panel. Prior to this I was the director of the Center for Women’s Studies and Development. As I was nearing retirement, I was placed on the panel as an NGO representative. Now, I am not in a position to help them,” he said, adding that he was in the SAIL Humanities Block during his tenure.
Box
Higher education department takes note of NU case
The NU administration has been asked by the top officials of the higher education department to investigate the alleged case of sexual harassment of two PhD students. After this uproar, VC Subhash Chaudhary can constitute a panel on Monday itself. However, the panel is likely to be members of the teaching forum, who are not part of the university’s anti-sexual harassment cell.