Women Commission recommends removal of Patiala law varsity VC

The Punjab State Women Commission (PSWC) has recommended the “immediate removal” of Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law’s Vice-Chancellor Jai Shankar Singh, who is in the eye of the storm for allegedly entering the girls’ hostel without any prior notice. The Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC) has also directed the Patiala Deputy Commissioner to probe the incident.

In a letter written to the President of India, PSWC Chairperson Raj Lali Gill said exercising its powers under Section 10 of the Punjab State Women Commission Act, 2001, it has taken suo motu cognisance of the incident involving the law university’s VC.

“The commission finds the VC’s action highly inappropriate. His behaviour has led to serious concerns regarding the safety, dignity, and rights of female students…. The commission respectfully recommends your immediate intervention for the removal of Professor (Dr) Jai Shankar Singh from his current position,” Gill has written to the President.

The PSHRC has also marked an inquiry and sought a report on the alleged harassment of female students at the law university. The inquiry will be conducted by the Patiala Deputy Commissioner.

Meanwhile, four days after remaining shut, the university authorities have issued a notice to the faculty members that the “university will open on September 27 and classes shall be held as per schedule”.

The Lawyers for Human Rights International (LHRI) had filed a complaint before the PSHR alleging the varsity VC barged into the girls’ hostel without intimation and without taking along the hostel warden.

“The girl students were allegedly taunted for wearing inappropriate dresses. We, as a lawyers’ body, felt our duty to stand with girl students who are lawyers in making,” said LHRI general secretary Navkiran Singh.

Commission Chairperson Justice Sant Parkash ordered that “from the circumstances it appears to be a violation of fundamental rights of the girl students and this commission takes cognisance of the same and the inquiry of the same be marked to the DC, Patiala” who may look into the same and submit a report.