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This is an archive article published on September 30, 2013

Harassment allegations rock PU Senate meet

Zero hour : Members say research scholars don’t report cases for fear of losing degrees

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The issue of sexual harassment of research scholars by the guides rocked the Panjab University (PU) Senate meeting that was held Sunday. The Senate members alleged that such cases are not reported by the research scholars for fear of losing their degrees.

The issue was raised in the zero hour by one of the members,Varinder Gill,who pointed out that many of the research scholars in the university have been facing harassment at the hands of their guides in the departments. “I have had a close interaction with a number of research scholars on the campus,and a majority of them have some or the other complaint against their guides. The scenario is even worse in the case of girls,” he said.

Elaborating on the issue,he said,“Those students who pursue PhDs are usually in an age group where they are either married or are soon to get married. Keeping in mind the family pressure at that age,they are afraid to register any complaints of sexual harassment or even bring it to the notice of anyone in the department. Moreover,there is always that fear of losing their PhD degree,since it is the guide who exercises the authority of providing the degree.”

A number of Senate members conceded to the points raised by Gill,and also expressed concern over the issue.

It is significant to note that in a recent case of sexual harassment reported in the university,a research scholar had complained against her guide for harassing her,on the pretext of completing her research work.

While such cases have been surfacing in the university and its affiliated colleges,the issue assumed significance in the light of PU’s adoption of the ‘Panjab University Policy Against Sexual Harassment (PUPASH)’,in compliance with ‘The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention,Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013’. The decision was taken in the Syndicate meeting held on August 23,after which a PU Committee Against Sexual harassment (PUCASH) was set up in the varsity and similar committees in all its affiliated colleges.

However,it has been found that very few complaints have been received by the committee since it started working.

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Talking about the issue,Professor Rajesh Gill said,“That is one of the major concerns,that students are hesitant in coming forward to register their complaints. One reason is of course the issue of ‘honour’ or family pressure,but on a broader perspective,it is also because the PUCASH has not been adequately publicised.”

“The members need to be upright and gender-sensitive about the issue,and it is imperative that the committee works round the year and organises seminars and workshops to create awareness about the issue. Its work should not be limited to only redressal of complaints,” she added.

‘Delayed action sends wrong message’

Taking a strict action against sexual harassment,the Senate decided to withdraw the next three increments of an Assistant Professor in Law PU Regional Centre,Muktsar,who was held guilty in a sexual harassment case involving a student of LLB sixth semester.

Professor Rajesh Gill,while pointing out the delay in the case,said that a drag of two years in such a case is completely uncalled for and sends out a wrong message.

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It is also significant to note that there is another sexual harassment case reported from GTB Collge,Dasuya,wherein the five female teachers of the college had leveled allegations against a college superintendent. While all the five teachers had been suspended by the college,no action has been taken against the accused.

Expressing strong discontent over the university’s lack of timely action in the case,Dr Jagwant Singh said,“ If an educational institution does not do justice in such cases,how is it supposed to consolidate its value system for the students? Those five who complained have now even refused to fight the case.”

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