A senior professor at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has alleged that she was subjected to religious discrimination and prolonged mental harassment for nearly three decades, stating that the sustained pressure caused severe personal and professional distress, including a miscarriage.
Professor Rachana Kaushal of the Political Science Department has accused senior officials at the university of targeting her because of her religious identity. She has submitted a formal complaint to the Vice Chancellor, along with audio recordings and documentary evidence, and has stated that she intends to file a First Information Report (FIR) in the matter.
According to the complaint, the alleged harassment began soon after Professor Kaushal joined AMU as a lecturer in 1998. She stated that discrimination and mental pressure started early in her career and continued over the years, adding that she had not anticipated facing such treatment at a central university on religious grounds.
Professor Kaushal further alleged that the pressure intensified during critical phases of her personal life. She stated that in 2004, while she was pregnant with twins, she was subjected to excessive workload and mental stress, which she claims resulted in a miscarriage. She also stated that her husband, D.K. Pandey, a senior professor at JN Medical College, AMU, passed away in 2012.
In her complaint, Professor Kaushal has also accused the current Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Mohammad Nafis Ahmad Ansari, of making repeated remarks referencing her religion. She alleged that the Dean told her that she was Hindu and should go to Banaras Hindu University and further accused him of making statements suggesting that Hindu teachers deliberately avoid teaching Muslim students and of questioning their conduct at academic conferences.
She stated that these remarks were personally insulting and undermined the secular character of the institution, adding that such comments contributed to a hostile work environment. Professor Kaushal has submitted audio recordings of the alleged remarks to Vice Chancellor Naima Khatun as part of her evidence.
Despite the alleged harassment, Professor Kaushal stated that she continued to teach at the university for years in the hope that the situation would improve. She said she now believes that legal action is necessary and has indicated that she intends to approach the police and make the matter public.
AMU authorities have confirmed receipt of the complaint and stated that an internal inquiry has been initiated. At the time of publishing, no official response had been issued by the university administration or by the accused faculty member regarding the allegations.
Source: News18
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