Varsity staffer accused of sexual harassment

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 18

An assistant professor of Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) has alleged sexual harassment by her colleague.

She has also submitted a written complaint to Vice-Chancellor Jaspal Singh Sandhu and Dean, Academic Affairs, Kamaljit Singh. The matter has been handed over to the sexual harassment committee of the university. Kamaljit said, “The matter has been given to the sexual harassment committee, which will investigate the matter.”

The assistant professor has accused her junior colleague of passing lewd comments and of inappropriate gesture. The junior colleague happens to be an assistant professor working with the department on part-time basis.

“He made me feel uncomfortable with his gestures and comments. I had been facing this for a long time. It has been a case of mental and sexual harassment. His behaviour towards me has been inappropriate,” she said.

However, the assistant professor in question has termed the allegations baseless and false. He said, “I am shocked at these allegations. They hold no truth in them. She is lying.”

This is not the first time that the matter of sexual harassment has been reported. Last year, a former faculty member had accused Vice-Chancellor Jaspal Singh Sandhu of sexual harassment.