JOIN USRao, head of Commerce department, has been in the eye of a storm for some time now for his alleged habit of seeking “guru-dakshina,” in the form of sexual favour, from his female students, who aspired to complete their doctorate course under his guidance.
“You should always pay ‘guru-dakshina’ in kind to your guru if you want your doctorate. You should visit my apartment in the evening, whenever I call you. I am not as good as I look, I am notorious, I never saw you as a student, you should know what your guru wants from you, after all I am a human too and I have desires,” these were a few “diktats” of Rao, alleged a student of the Visakhapatanam-based university.
Taking advantage of the hapless students, the professor had been constantly harassing them, several investigations in the past revealed. Rao’s political clout had compelled the authorities to even disregard a directions of Governor E S L Narasimhan and also the recommendations of two enquiry commissions to take stern action against the professor.
So much so that the professor, who had allegedly been a guide to nearly 50 odd doctorate students in the last few years, has earned the label of being “Ti-chakadu” (a teacher turned kichaka) for his sexual acts with his assistants and students.
A CD containing Rao’s voice demanding sexual favours was also earlier presented to governor. However, the charges were subsequently revived by the governor and referred to the university for action. However, neither the registrar nor the vice-chancellor dared to act under political pressure from Congress ministers.
Even complaints were recorded in the women grievance and redressal cell of the university. The cell investigated the documents presented by the students like CD containing professor’s abusive and vulgar phone calls and diktats.
Way back in 2001, the Justice Hanumanthu enquiry committee had recommended Rao’s demotion and also said that he should not be given any administrative responsibilities. But the recommendations were not implemented.