JNU Professor Faces Sexual Harassment Allegations After Students Come Forward
New Delhi: A sexual harassment complaint at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has reportedly raised serious concerns on campus after several students came forward with allegations against a professor. The students have accused the faculty member of inappropriate behaviour, sexually suggestive remarks and allegedly offering better marks in return for sexual favours.
The matter reportedly came to light after viva examinations conducted during the first week of May. According to sources familiar with the developments, one student shared her experience in a students-only WhatsApp group following the viva. Her account reportedly encouraged other students to speak about experiences they said were similar.
As more students began discussing the issue, a formal complaint was subsequently submitted to the university’s Internal Complaints Committee (ICC).
Students Allegedly Describe Similar Experiences
According to sources, around 11 students have approached the ICC with complaints against the professor. The allegations reportedly include inappropriate comments, behaviour with sexual overtones and suggestions that students could receive higher marks if they accepted the professor’s advances.
The allegations are particularly serious because some of the reported incidents are said to have taken place in an academic setting, where students may feel dependent on faculty members for assessments and grades.
One source familiar with the matter told NDTV that the issue began gaining attention after one student spoke about her experience following the viva examination. Other students then reportedly shared their own accounts.
Among the allegations is a claim that additional marks were linked to whether students were willing to entertain the professor’s alleged advances. These claims, however, remain allegations and are currently subject to investigation by the university’s designated complaints mechanism.
Allegations Extend Beyond Viva Examinations
The complaints reportedly do not relate only to the viva examinations.
Some students have allegedly accused the professor of inviting them to gatherings at his residence on the JNU campus. According to the allegations, inappropriate or sexual advances were allegedly made during some of these interactions.
Other complaints reportedly relate to comments allegedly made during regular classes.
The accounts have raised concerns among students about the boundaries between faculty members and students, particularly where teachers have academic authority over examinations, marks and evaluations.
ICC Begins Investigation
Following the complaints, JNU’s Internal Complaints Committee reportedly began proceedings and asked the students concerned to appear before it and record their statements.
The ICC has not publicly commented on the specific allegations. According to the report, the committee said the complaint was an internal matter and that the investigation was ongoing.
The JNU administration has also reportedly not issued a detailed public response regarding the allegations.
The investigation is expected to examine the statements provided by students along with any other relevant material before reaching a conclusion.
Issue Resurfaced After Semester Break
The developments reportedly began shortly before the university entered a semester break lasting around 45 days.
When students returned to campus and classes resumed in July, discussions surrounding the allegations reportedly resurfaced. Sources said that more students, including senior students, subsequently came forward after another complaint was made against the professor.
The developments have generated renewed attention on campus, with students closely watching the university’s response and the outcome of the ICC proceedings.
Previous Sexual Harassment Action at JNU
The latest allegations come against the backdrop of previous sexual harassment cases involving members of the JNU faculty and staff.
In April last year, JNU’s Executive Council reportedly dismissed four employees in separate cases, including a faculty member facing allegations of sexual harassment.
The faculty member was identified as Swaran Singh, a senior professor at JNU’s School of International Studies. He was dismissed in connection with allegations involving a Japanese official from the Embassy of Japan, according to an official familiar with that case at the time.
The earlier action demonstrates that the university has previously taken disciplinary measures in sexual harassment-related matters. However, the current case remains under investigation, and no conclusion about the latest allegations has been established.
What Happens Next?
The immediate focus is now on the ICC investigation. Students who have approached the committee are expected to provide their statements and details of their alleged experiences as part of the proceedings.
The committee’s findings could determine what further action, if any, is warranted against the professor.
For the students involved, the process is also significant because sexual harassment complaints within educational institutions often involve concerns about academic pressure, power differences and fear of repercussions.
Until the investigation is completed, the allegations against the professor should be treated as claims rather than established facts.
The case has nevertheless sparked renewed discussion about the need for a safe and respectful academic environment, where students can raise complaints without fear and where allegations involving faculty members are examined fairly and promptly.
News source: Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
