Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 19: Taking a strong exception to the objectionable remarks of Jammu University Vice-Chancellor against sexual harassment victims, National Secular Forum (NSF) on Tuesday demanded immediate intervention of Governor N N Vohra to restore sanctity of the institution.
Talking to the media persons here, Dr Vikas Sharma, state president of NSF, alleged that the Vice-Chancellor was encouraging the sexual assault accused faculty members on the campus and adding insult to their victims through his remarks on social media where he described their plight as “masalewazi”.
“The Vice Chancellor has brought disgrace to sexual harassment victims by describing reports about them as ‘masalewazi’. Instead of ensuring punitive action against the accused, he is not only shielding them but also drawing sadistic pleasure from the plight of victims which is highly unfortunate. He must tell the people what kind of ‘masala’ he is getting by mocking at the sexual harassment victims,” Sharma said.
The NSF president said the recent decision of the University, wherein a sexual harassment accused faculty member was given undue favour by appointing him on a plum post, was enough to gauge the state of affairs in JU. “Why is the VC keen to encourage the sexual harassment accused on the campus? He owes an explanation to the people in general and the University staff in particular as to why all the sexual harassment accused are being shielded,” Sharma said.
He further said the Media, the fourth pillar of democracy, has been doing its professional duties by highlighting the gross irregularities in the functioning of JU as well as sufferings of sexual harassment victims but the Vice Chancellor, instead of applying balm on the wounds of victims, has added salt to their injuries by terming them “masalewazi”. “Had the Vice Chancellor used the similar terminology and shielded the accused if the victims were his loved ones,” he questioned.
“We appeal to the Governor, N N Vohra, who is the Chancellor of JU and the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who is the Pro-Chancellor, to take serious note of the objectionable words of the Vice Chancellor and immediate sack him from the post to maintain the sanctity of the Chair,” the NSF president demanded.
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