'2 professors sexually harassed PhD scholars'

Social activist makes allegations against professors at SC/ST meet

A Dalit social activist made serious allegations against the professors of Mangalore University of sexually harassing women candidates pursuing PhD.

Speaking at the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes monthly grievance meet at the office of Superintendent of Police on Sunday, Narayan Punchame said that two women who have discontinued PhD owing to the sexual harassment by two professors from the Kannada Department and Sociology Department have approached him complaining about the harassment they have undergone.

“One of the professors from Kannada Department who is also a Dalit, is engaged in sexually harassing women candidates who pursue PhD under his guidance. Three years ago, a girl from Kasargod discontinued her research as the professor had sought sexual favours, he alleged and added that succumbing to fear, she did not give a police complaint and discontinued the PhD and is now running a fancy shop in Thokkottu.

Later speaking to media persons, he said that the Mangalore University students had in fact staged a protest against the professor in the University premises two years ago, opposing sexual harassment by the professor. Despite the allegations made against him, the professor is confidently stating that nobody can fix him up in sexual harassment cases.

Narayan also made allegations against Head of the Sociology Department of sexually harassing his PhD scholars. “A woman who was pursuing PhD under him thrashed him and then discontinued the research due to pressure from various quarters. There are several sexual harassment cases in Mangalore University which have not come to limelight as the victims are scared to speak up,” he said. He said that he has submitted a complaint to the University Vice-Chancellor 15 days ago and he would wait for 10 more days for the reply. “If the University fails to respond, then I will file a complaint with Konaje police on behalf of the victims,” he said.

Responding to the issue, Assistant Superintendent of Police Anucheth said that the case does not come under the jurisdiction of the district police. He would receive the complaint if the victims come forward and the case would be transfered to the Police Commissioner.
When Deccan Herald contacted Vice Chancellor T C Shivashankaramurthy, he said neither he nor the Registrar have received any specific complaint on sexual harassment by the University professors.

The Registrar has received an RTI application seeking information about the girl candidates who have pursued PhD under Dr Abhay Kumar. The information sought by the applicant will be furnished within 30 days, he said.