Nagpur: The Nagpur University (NU) got a new vice chancellor, a huge new administration building funded by late Rahul Bajaj, and a swanky new portal between 2018 and 2022. However, the dedicated anti-sexual harassment cell is conspicuous by its absence from all of the above platforms.
In 2018, there had been complaint of sexual harassment by an MEd student against former pro-VC Gaurishanker Parasher and HoD Rajashri Vaishnav. The then VC SP Kane had announced not just revival of the anti-sexual harassment cell lying defunct on Amravati Road campus, but also an additional cell at NU’s old building at Rabindranath Tagore Marg in Civil Lines.
Kane demitted office in April 2020 without fulfilling his commitment to aggrieved students. Though office space has been allotted for the purpose at the new building, the room remains locked. In the entire building, adjoining campus and website, there is no information regarding redressal of sexual harassment complaints. NU has also not included the contact details of the cell in its official diary.
The office-bearers of the cell are professors of NU PG departments, from where they manage the complaints, if any, as an additional charge. The NU also upgraded its website recently, but the new one has no option to report sexual harassment issues.
The latest controversy involving a Hindi postgraduate department teacher allegedly seeking sexual favours from two PhD students reveals the significance of an easily available complaint forum. The aggrieved girls had no clue about how to seek redressal and approached their guide, who then asked senate members to raise the issue. A formal complaint is yet to be filed.
As per UGC regulations to prevent, prohibit and redress sexual harassment of women teachers and students in higher education institutions, the university is responsible to publicize information on the mechanism put in place for redressal of complaints pertaining to sexual harassment. It must also display in prospectus and notice boards the complaint procedure and contact details of Internal Complaint Committee (ICC) members.
VC Subhash Chaudhari is tight lipped about the entire affair. He is yet to answer TOI’s calls and messages on the issue. Sangita Meshram, incharge of the cell, too refused to comment.
Neelima Deshmukh, a former member secretary of the cell, said students and accused are calling her even though she retired three years ago. “I had been nominated as NGO representative in the panel. Earlier, I was director, Centre for Women’s Studies and Development. As I neared retirement, I was placed as NGO representative on the panel. Now, I am not in a position to help them,” she said, adding that during her tenure the cell was in the humanities block.
BOX
Higher edu dept takes note of NU case
The NU administration has been asked by the higher education department top brass to set up a probe into the alleged case of sexual harassment of two PhD students. Following the nudge, VC Subhash Chaudhari is likely to set up a panel on Monday itself. However, the panel is likely to have Shikshan Manch members, who are not part of the university’s anti-sexual harassment cell.
In 2018, there had been complaint of sexual harassment by an MEd student against former pro-VC Gaurishanker Parasher and HoD Rajashri Vaishnav. The then VC SP Kane had announced not just revival of the anti-sexual harassment cell lying defunct on Amravati Road campus, but also an additional cell at NU’s old building at Rabindranath Tagore Marg in Civil Lines.
Kane demitted office in April 2020 without fulfilling his commitment to aggrieved students. Though office space has been allotted for the purpose at the new building, the room remains locked. In the entire building, adjoining campus and website, there is no information regarding redressal of sexual harassment complaints. NU has also not included the contact details of the cell in its official diary.
The office-bearers of the cell are professors of NU PG departments, from where they manage the complaints, if any, as an additional charge. The NU also upgraded its website recently, but the new one has no option to report sexual harassment issues.
The latest controversy involving a Hindi postgraduate department teacher allegedly seeking sexual favours from two PhD students reveals the significance of an easily available complaint forum. The aggrieved girls had no clue about how to seek redressal and approached their guide, who then asked senate members to raise the issue. A formal complaint is yet to be filed.
As per UGC regulations to prevent, prohibit and redress sexual harassment of women teachers and students in higher education institutions, the university is responsible to publicize information on the mechanism put in place for redressal of complaints pertaining to sexual harassment. It must also display in prospectus and notice boards the complaint procedure and contact details of Internal Complaint Committee (ICC) members.
VC Subhash Chaudhari is tight lipped about the entire affair. He is yet to answer TOI’s calls and messages on the issue. Sangita Meshram, incharge of the cell, too refused to comment.
Neelima Deshmukh, a former member secretary of the cell, said students and accused are calling her even though she retired three years ago. “I had been nominated as NGO representative in the panel. Earlier, I was director, Centre for Women’s Studies and Development. As I neared retirement, I was placed as NGO representative on the panel. Now, I am not in a position to help them,” she said, adding that during her tenure the cell was in the humanities block.
BOX
Higher edu dept takes note of NU case
The NU administration has been asked by the higher education department top brass to set up a probe into the alleged case of sexual harassment of two PhD students. Following the nudge, VC Subhash Chaudhari is likely to set up a panel on Monday itself. However, the panel is likely to have Shikshan Manch members, who are not part of the university’s anti-sexual harassment cell.