Row over FB post naming 60 academics as ‘sexual harassers’

We are dismayed by the initiative on Facebook, in which men are being listed and named as sexual harassers with no context or explanation. It worries us that anybody can be named anonymously, with lack of answerability.

FROM A STATEMENT BY 14

WOMEN ACTIVISTS, LAWYERS

AND ACADEMICS

NEW DELHI: Afacebook post on Tuesday “naming and shaming” academics who have allegedly exhibited “sexually predatory behaviour” listed 60 teachers in several universities across the country.

However, several social activists and academics have urged “those who are behind this initiative” to withdraw it and take the post down on the grounds that it contravenes the principles of natural justice.

The social activists appealed to those who posted the names on Facebook that “if they wish to pursue complaints, they should follow due process, and be assured that they will be supported by the larger feminist community in their fight for justice”.

The Facebook post includes names of 12 teachers from Jadavpur University, 10 associated with Delhi University, five from Ambedkar University Delhi, and two from Jawaharlal Nehru University, among others.

The post started with the names of two faculty members allegedly from Jadavpur University, and the author then asked others that “if anyone knows of academics who have sexually harassed/were sexually predatory to them or have seen it firsthand PM me and I’ll add them to the list”.

However, many have questioned the validity of the claims being made.

A faculty member named in the list told HT how he had been devastated by the post.

“I am scared to even talk about this. I don’t understand why this has happened. My family is in a crisis. I am completely shattered. I will need time to recover from this, if at all I can,” the teacher said.

Others, like an assistant professor whose name was also on the list, were more upset.

“How can you defame some- body without proof? People can make whatever claims they want. I did have a sexual harassment charge leveled against me 4-5 years ago, but I was acquitted as the investigating authorities found the allegations to be baseless... I am sure somebody will soon file a defamation case regarding this,” he said.

A group of 14 women, including activist Kavita Krishnan, lawyer Vrinda Grover, JNU faculty such as Nivedita Menon, Ayesha Kidwai, Janaki Nair, DU teacher Janaki Abraham and Sabeena Gadihoke from Jamia Millia Islamia, have also expressed doubts about the way the names have been published with no “due process”.

“We are dismayed by the initiative on Facebook, in which men are being listed and named as sexual harassers with no context or explanation,” said a statement released by them, which also urged the author to stop the campaign.

“One or two names of men who have been already found guilty of sexual harassment by due process are placed on par with unsubstantiated accusations. It worries us that anybody can be named anonymously, with lack of answerability,” the statement said.