MU students complain against asst professor, sexual harassment

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, July 07, 2018: A group of students from the Department of Library and Information Science at Mangalore University submitted a complaint against an assistant professor, alleging harassment a few months ago. However, the incident came to light when a private channel aired it on July 6, Friday.

In their complaint to the registrar in November 2017, the students alleged that they were being harassed by assistant professor Umesh Naik. The Students’ Council of Mangalore University submitted a complaint to the university authorities as well in this regard on February 2, 2018, to initiate a probe into the allegations.

According to sources in the university, the students also brought the issue to the notice of the authorities concerned during an evaluation of the faculty in 2015-16. Instead of answering the questions about the courses and lecturers, the students explained about the harassment meted out to them by the hands of the said faculty member. The students had informed that the said assistant professor kept a hidden camera in the classroom.

In yet another development, SPARSH (Sensitization, Prevention and Redressal of Sexual Harassment) committee too received a complaint from the students. There were also complaints about an alleged indecent behaviour by the assistant professor with students. The committee conducted an internal inquiry and submitted a report on April 4, 2018. The committee is said to have expressed displeasure at the said assistant professor for failing to cooperate.

Reacting to the allegations, Dr Umesh Naik said that the SPARSH committee was not constituted legally. “I approached the high court and brought a stay on the same. I have been targetted as I am a Dalit,” he said.

When contacted, Mangalore University acting VC Prof Kishore Kumar C K said that he will look into the matter.