KGMU doctor facing ‘forced conversion, abortion’ charges held; ruckus at varsity amid women panel vice-chief’s visit

The Indian Express had reported that KGMU was set to recommend “termination of Rameezuddin’s services” after its internal Vishaka Committee to check sexual harassment of women at the workplace found him guilty of the charges levelled against him. Rameezuddin had attended a hearing of the panel before he went “missing”. The committee submitted its report to the Vice-Chancellor, a senior KGMU official had said.

In a statement on Friday, the varsity said: “… The Vishaka Committee, after considering all available evidence, statements from parties concerned, and following established procedures, found Dr Rameez guilty. The committee, making the strictest recommendation in the university’s history, decided to send a proposal to the Directorate of Medical Education to cancel his admission”. Rameezuddin, a Junior Resident in the Department of Pathology at KGMU, had enrolled for MD.

Earlier in the day, ruckus broke out at KGMU after a group of people barged into campus and allegedly tried to force their way into the Vice-Chancellor’s office while protesting against the accused doctor. Uttar Pradesh State Women’s Commission Vice-Chairperson Aparna Yadav also arrived and raised questions over KGMU’s handling of the case.

Even as the university administration tried to explain that V-C Soniya Nityanand was busy with interviews and would be available soon, the crowd allegedly raised slogans of ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Jai Shri Ram’ outside. The administration alleged that the crowd got into a scuffle with staff. 

Yadav, meanwhile, addressed a press conference on campus and alleged that the university was indulging in “all kinds of activities” including “religious conversion” and was stopping women doctors from “approaching the Commission”. 

Alleging that they were asked to wait on purpose, Yadav claimed that the woman complainant did not get any support. She further claimed action was taken only after UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath spoke to the complainant and assured a fair inquiry.

Raising questions on the functioning of KGMU’s Vishaka committee, Yadav cited another case where a woman doctor filed a sexual harassment complaint but was allegedly stopped from approaching the “women’s commission”.

She also asked why no action was taken against two faculty members who allegedly supported Rameezuddin. She maintained that the Women’s Commission, being a “constitutional body”, has its own respect and warned that it would take these cases forward.

Yadav could not be contacted for comment.

The KGMU administration refuted her allegations.

In its statement, it claimed that the alleged case of sexual harassment against Nayak was “thoroughly, impartially, and fairly investigated by the Vishaka Committee”. “After receiving the committee’s report within 15 days, the university administration decided it was its responsibility to inform the media of the facts to prevent the spread of any misleading information” and a press conference was organised Friday. 

After the press conference, the statement claimed “a crowd of people suddenly gathered outside the Vice-Chancellor’s office. Later, it came to light that Aparna Yadav, Vice-Chairperson of the State Women’s Commission, was present on the premises without any prior notice… Neither the university administration nor the local police had received any prior information regarding this.”   

The KGMU statement claimed Yadav insisted on meeting the V-C “with the crowd of approximately 200 people who had accompanied her”.

“The crowd became agitated… Demonstrators… broke down doors and entered the Vice-Chancellor’s office… engaging in vandalism and slogan shouting… Seeing the gravity of the situation, the university administration, security personnel, and officers present acted judiciously and escorted the Vice-Chancellor to a safe location…,” the statement claimed.

It said the offices of the Governor and Chief Minister were informed of the incident. Police arrived and the situation was brought under control. 

“This chaos directly impacted regular activities of the university. Interviews for the promotion committee were being conducted in the same building, and MBBS examinations were being held on the upper floor, both of which were disrupted,” the statement added.

K K Singh, Professor, Surgery Department, and Public Relations Officer of KGMU, said: “… the administration has lodged a complaint with the police, with CCTV footage of the vandalism, as government property has been damaged in the process.”