Kashmir university removes professor from duties amid student harassment allegations

The Central University of Kashmir has removed an associate professor from departmental and official responsibilities after students accused him of making lewd remarks, The Hindu reported. Female students protested on the university’s campus in Ganderbal district on October 1. They alleged that the professor had repeatedly made inappropriate comments in class, including a remark about a student’s appearance and an invitation to be his date.

The students also alleged that the professor warned the student of action if she complained. The allegations have not been established, and the university said inquiries were under way. Registrar Nisar Ahmad Mir said the accused, Dr Chinnappan Bhaskar, had been relieved of all departmental and official assignments with immediate effect.

He had been head of the Department of Chemistry. The university appointed Assistant Professor Prashant Kumar Gupta as coordinator of the chemistry department until further orders. The administrative order said Bhaskar’s attachment and removal from departmental responsibilities would remain in force pending a decision by the competent authority.

The university has established two inquiries: one through its Internal Committee and another through a special committee set up on the Vice Chancellor’s instructions. Students were asked to appear before the Internal Committee if they had experienced harassment. Mir said the university would take appropriate action if sexual harassment was established.

The supplied material does not give the accused professor’s response to the allegations.