Mangalore, July 22, 2014: The alleged sexual harassment of a student of St Raymond’s College at Vamanjoor by a lecturer, evoked angry protest from students of the institution on July 22, Tuesday. Even parents joined the protest. However, some ABVP workers who too arrived, were asked to move out. Later they started protesting on the road.
As already reported, the sexual harassment case came to light when the victim, a PUC student who was harassed by a Kannada lecturer named Harish, attempted suicide following which her parents lodged a complaint with Kankanady police.
Interestingly, the College has taken a stance in support of the accused lecturer and the College Principal Sr Cecilia D’Souza who spoke to media after a meeting with police officials said the accused teacher had faced no such complaint in his service spanning 12 years.
She also went on to say that “ Some students did not like the strict nature of the teacher concerned.”
The Principal further said “ The girl who had attempted suicide faced complaints of troubling other students and recently she had even admitted her guilt in a written statement. Even the lecturer had on July 21, Monday given some advice to the girl,” she said and refused to divulge other details.
Sr Mariette, Corporate Manager of Bethany Institutions of Mangalore and Udupi also stated that the lecturer in question has not ill-treated anyone.
The meeting held with the college management was attended by Dr KV Jagadish, DCP (Crime), Raghava Padil, Inspector and Pawan Nejur.The college management was asked to ensure that such incidents did not recur.