AMU research scholar alleges harassment by HoD

AGRA: A research scholar from Kashmir has complained to the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) of Aligarh Muslim University, accusing head of the department of petroleum studies of ‘sexual harassment’. The accused professor is also the president of AMU Teachers Association.

The matter is being probed but the AMU administration is tight lipped over the incident.

The research scholar, also from petroleum studies department, lodged the complaint with the ICC through e mail, alleging that her irregular attendance due to her mother’s illness had been made an issue on the basis of which derogatory charges were levelled against her, that too in front of the students and staff.

The complainant alleged that the HOD had written to her regarding her residential address in Aligarh. “This is a senseless thing to ask unless one has the intention to stalk,’ she said, adding filthy words were used against her.

She also alleged the professor cast aspersions on her private life and even hinted she might be involved in unlawful activities, terming her to be ‘absconding’. “I was even compared with another student who was accused of joining terrorist outfit Hizbul Mujahideen.

This was all part of a conspiracy and nothing less than sexual harassment,” said the research scholar, demanding a fair probe in the matter.