JOIN USStudents of the Beynon-Smith Pre-University College here, on Tuesday, held a protest against a lecturer who is accused of sexually harassed fellow students.
They protested under the Akhila Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) banner and demanded that Sociology lecturer S B Girennavar be sacked immediately.
Students said the professor who has been working in the college for many years, harassed the first year Arts students. After students sought his signature for an attendance slip, he continuously called them on their mobile phones and asked them to visit him at places outside the college, like hotels.
He would also enquire about the families of the girl students with their classmates. He was trying to fulfil his ‘motives,’ said the students.
A girl took objection to his misbehaviour and complained to other lecturers.
However, the issue was ignored. Subsequently, the students recorded a conversation with the lecturer on their phones and approached students’ organisations.
Activists of the ABVP stormed into the college and staged a protest demanding stringent action against the lecturer.They protested for nearly three hours. They had a heated argument with the principal who promised to look into the matter.
The police rushed to the spot and tried to pacify the protesters. Later the student leaders, police and members of pro-Hindu organisations held a meeting with the principal.
He promised to file a complaint against the lecturer on behalf of the college. Only then did the students withdraw their protest.
Condemning the incident, the students staged a demonstration in front of the office of the Deputy Director of Pre-University and submitted a memorandum.