Srinagar, May 7: Authorities at Amar Singh College on Thursday ordered an inquiry after students staged a protest over allegations of verbal harassment against a senior faculty member of the Department of Media Studies.
Principal Prof. Aijaz Ahmed Hakak said the incident unfolded during the afternoon session while normal classwork was underway in the college.
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“Students gathered and started a demonstration. Immediately, when we went there, one female student complained about harassment by a faculty member of the Department of Media Studies,” Hakak said.
He said the college administration promptly intervened, listened to the concerns raised by the students and initiated preliminary action.
“We have taken her statement, and now the college committee will investigate the matter. A fact-based report will be submitted to the Higher Education Department,” he said.
According to the principal, the allegation pertains to verbal harassment. He, however, said the matter is still at a preliminary stage, and the accused faculty member has not yet been contacted, as the students were agitated when the issue surfaced.
“We have listened to the students and noted their concerns. The proctorial committee will look into the matter completely,” Hakak said.
As an immediate administrative measure, the faculty member concerned has been relieved of departmental affairs, while a senior faculty member has been assigned to oversee the functioning of the department till the inquiry is completed.
“Meanwhile, we have relieved the faculty member from departmental affairs, and a senior faculty member will look after the affairs of the department,” the principal said.
Hakak said the students have now been pacified and assured by the administration, and that there is no law and order issue on the campus.
“Their concerns were immediately addressed. There is no issue now, and normal classes will continue,” he said.
The principal also said the students themselves informed the administration that they had not formally brought the issue to the notice of the college authorities earlier.
Hakak said the college already has multiple institutional mechanisms in place to address complaints related to harassment, including disciplinary and Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) structures.
“For the protection of female students, committees are already in place in the college. Awareness regarding any kind of harassment is regularly promoted, and committee guidelines are displayed prominently across departments and blocks,” he said.
He added that complaint boxes have also been installed at designated places on the campus to enable students to report grievances and bring matters to the attention of the college authorities.
