Reproducing the relevant regarding the Regulations governing Sexual Harassment (prevention, prohibition and redressal) at NAAC A+ accredited University of Jammu which is now stealing the limelight in the light of the goings on known to most of us. Regulation No 8 reads at 2, “The Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) shall upon the receipt of the complaint, send one copy of the complaint to the respondent within a period of 07 working days of such receipt” and at 3, it is written “Upon receipt of the copy of the complaint, the respondent shall file his or her reply to the complaint along with the list of documents and names and addresses of witnesses within a period of 10 working days”. Again at 8, I read “The Inquiry has to be completed within a period of 90 days from the date of the receipt of the complaint. The Inquiry Report with recommendation if any has to be submitted within 10 working days from the date of completion of the Inquiry to the Executive Authority of the University. The CASH guidelines also underline of several others steps to ensure principal of natural justice which sadly not al adhere to in case of deceased Chandra Shekhar. Decision of JU authorities viz vis CASH guidelines reveal everything and it is not difficult for SIT to decode as to what led to the death dynamic teacher in Psychology department on fateful day on Sept 7, 2022 in premises of JU.
Copy of the findings or recommendations shall also be served on both parties to the complaint”. These regulations along with other related matters have been signed by teachers of JU -Pankaj Shrivastava, Renu Nanda, Sanjay Gupta, Savita Nayyar and Ranoo on 22-09-2017. So the die is cast.
In the light of the aforesaid it is very easy even for a layman to draw the conclusions. What happened with the deceased teacher of Psychology Prof. Chandra Shekhar and how did the CASH Committee act has already visited the public domain. Interestingly intentionally with a design Prof. Umseh Rai is reluctant to act as he himself is badly stuck up. Daer Hai Andher Nahi Hai. It is learnt that a few others similarly situated are gearing up their loins to take on those who are happy go lucky by nature and for whom morality is something alien to their lifestyle. As and when the concerned approach us those matters shall also visit the public domain without delay.
The utterances of deceased Shekar’s wife stating that VC of JU have allegedly admitted of taking the decision in haste as the concerned officers had reportedly hidden some facts from him. It is more than obvious that VC himself was in hurry to grant approval for issuance of suspension order without taking opinion from other senior members of university administration. Further, hiding the facts of the case from a superior is serious offence under Civil Service Rules ( Conduct) and VC under the said CSR can take necessary official action against his subordinates. The decision of VC to not act against all those subordinates who are under shadow of doubt for hatching “conspiracy” gives an inkling that VC is being blackmailed by alleged conspirators.
In the larger public interest one Jasbir Singh who is Mr. Indispensable for varsity authorities has been nominated as HoD of Psychology in the larger public interest. A more seasoned person should have been put as Head but in each and every matter politics has a role to play. Apart from his routine academic duties in Dept of Economics, Prof. Jasbir is overburdened with Director Centre for Study of Social Exclusions and Inclusive Policy, HoD of Psychology, Philosophy and Dean Social Sciences. Already the atmosphere in the University is very fragile and almost tearing apart so a better option should have been exercised.
The present lady Head of Psychology shall be given a safe passage and who bothers for those who belong to the weaker sections of the society. In the University a few members of SC/ST tribe have been exploited to the hilt as those categorized as the scions of upper caste (Swran) have been having a field day. There is no possibility that good sense will ever prevail as it is very difficult rather impossible to change the mindsets. As per a grapevine SIT shall be submitting its report shortly. People are waiting with a bated breath @ the conclusions they draw.
हम को मालूम है जन्नत की हक़ीक़त लेकिन
दिल के ख़ुश रखने को ‘ग़ालिब’ ये ख़याल अच्छा है