JAMMU: Unfolding of sequence of events which eventually guzzle precious life of a promising Professor Dr. Chandra Shekhar have raise serious question mark on functioning as well as Kangaroo court culture pursue with all might and ill intentions by a coterie in Jammu University.
Issuance of suspension letter in haste without application of mind and questionable behavior of CASH committee as well as HoD Psychology department aptly shows that Vice-Chancellor Prof. Umesh Rai miserably failed to understand genesis of problem ailing the varsity and hidden agenda of coterie surrounding him, avers a professor of JU.
Circumstances under which Dr. Chandra ends his life spark wave of anger among fellow teachers against Vice Chancellor, team of CASH, Registrar as well as HoD Psychology department. The agitated teachers are of the opinion that the way CASH arrive at verdict against our deceased colleague and the promptness of varsity authorities to dashed letter of suspension without giving an opportunity to prove his innocence amply shows that CASH committee resorts to unlawful kangaroo court apparently under the directions of their mentors to falsely implicate Dr. Chandra Shekhar.
“The dying statement of deceased teacher on a blackboard itself is a strong authentic evidence to arrest those coerced a dynamic academician to culminate his journey of life in a tragic way”, says a professor.
Pertinently, the VC received a complaint from a class of 23 female students against Dr. Chandra Shekhar on September 1st, 2022. Without seeking clarification, the matter was handed over to CASH committee headed by Prof. Alka Sharma and comprising of two members namely Prof. Monika Narang and Prof. Leena Padha.
Surprisingly, the committee allegedly without adopting due procedure arrives at conclusion in just one working day which was Friday Sep 2nd. From Sep 1st to Sep 5th, the JU remains closed on account of Saturday and Friday whereas on Monday Sep 5th, the entire administration was busy celebrating teachers/ JU’s foundation day. On Sep 7, the deceased was slapped with an ill engineered suspension letter in afternoon which turns into “death warrant” for its receiver. The CASH committee recommendations of suspension without hearing Dr. Chandra Shekhar was forwarded to authorities on Sep 7th in morning, reveals JU sources.
“Dr. Chandra Shekhar encountered humiliation when he approached the CASH Convenor to lodge his protest of not being heard prior to arrive at adverse verdict against him. On his return, he was left alone and dejected by his own department as HoD Prof. Arti Bakshi was cheering her born day cake cutting ceremony”, alleged JU insiders. This is so shameful and a blot on JU, added sources.
JKGN interacted with scores of females as well as male teachers in varsity who are reeling under extreme depression due to oppressive tactics and came across startling revelations against the university authorities. The trauma faced by these teachers in JU is horrible and warrants in-depth investigation by LG administration.
There is a gang operating in varsity which in accordance with gender of their identified targets adopts different tactics to harass them. This modus operandi is primarily used to scuttle career progression of their colleagues, says a faculty member of Law department.
“CBI inquiry is the right way of stopping the criminals who are doing in a very planned way. Please try something to save innocents from the clutches of these criminals. I had been a victim from my own department. Still cases are pending in the Court. They have chain which needed to be broken. They created same circumstances for me also. But God saved my life” says another female professor of Jammu University.
The Jammu University Teachers Association as well as All JK Civil Society also expressed their anguish at the circumstances which compel Dr. Chandra Shekhar to end his life.
“Stating that it’s a case of abetment to suicide, the JUTA in its general body as well executive council meeting on Thursday while taking serious view of callous behavior of CASH committee as well HoD Psychology Dr. Arti Bakshi has demanded CBI inquiry and announced pen down strike until their demands are met.
For its partisan and highly selective nature, the JUTA also demanded closure of CASH committee. “This is a citadel of shame and virtually become an instrument to frame those teachers who have become an eye sore for gang surrounding VC in JU. This has lost its sanctity and relevance and needs to be closed immediately, says JUTA.
Stating that Prof. Chandrashekhar was an academician par excellence and earned recognition at national and international forum for his contribution in field of education, the All JK Civil Society in its strongly worded communiqué has tear apart the varsity administration for institutionally “murder” of a scheduled castes community academician merely to stop him from assuming the role of HoD on October 1.
Some people conspired to stop him from joining as HoD Psychology by falsely implicating him in a sexual harassment case on the basis of tutored allegations, reads the statement issued to media by several members of JUTA through watsapp.
Castigating the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Umesh Rai, the AJKCS blamed the incumbent HoD, Prof. Arti Bakshi for “weaving a plot” against deceased teacher which was further supported by kangaroo court CASH committee which prevails upon VC in issuance of suspension letter.
Registrar is the custodian of rule books governing the smooth conduct of university affairs. Sadly, Prof. Arvind Jasrotia in haste issued suspenion order without looking into minutes of meeting meetings. This erroneous act of an officer clearly indicates a plot of conspiracy. More, shameful was the attitude of DSW Prof. Prakash Anthal who instead of being sensible over tragic loss of fellow teacher was enthusiastically busy in justifying suicide of Dr. Chandra Shekhar before media, says AJKCS.
This is a clear case of abetment to suicide and the circumstantial evidences speaks volume about possible conspiracy which warrants CBI investigation after lodging of FIR under SC/ST Act and U/S 302 IPC immediate suspension of Registrar, HoD Psychology, CASH committee convenor/members and DSW Prof. Prakash Anthal for free and fair investigation, further reads the press statement.