A complaint by a Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student following her viva examination has reportedly led to a wider complaint involving more than 10 students against a professor, with allegations ranging from sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct to misuse of academic authority, as reported in Open Magazine.
According to reports, the matter began after a student shared her experience in a WhatsApp group with fellow students following viva examinations held earlier this year. Other students subsequently responded with accounts of their own, with several reportedly coming forward with similar concerns.
The matter has since reached JNU’s Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), which is investigating the allegations.
The complaints reportedly describe a pattern of alleged inappropriate behaviour rather than a single incident.
Students quoted by multiple media outlets have alleged that the professor made sexually suggestive remarks during classes and viva examinations and made inappropriate comments with sexual overtones. Some students have also alleged that the professor made advances during gatherings at his residence on the university campus.
Another allegation concerns the professor’s academic authority. Some students have reportedly alleged that better marks were hinted at in exchange for responding positively to his advances.
Allegations Involving Academic Authority
The allegations concerning marks have drawn particular attention because of the professor’s role in evaluating students.
Students are dependent on faculty members for grades, assessments and, in some cases, academic recommendations. Allegations that academic benefits were linked to personal or sexual responses therefore raise questions about whether academic authority was allegedly misused.
Complaint Expands To More Than 10 Students
The case reportedly widened after the initial account was shared among students.
Other students, including some senior students, are said to have come forward with similar concerns. Several reportedly supported the complainants and shared their own accounts of behaviour they considered inappropriate.
What began with one student’s account subsequently developed into a formal complaint involving more than 10 students.
The complaints are now being examined by the university’s ICC.
JNU Begins Inquiry
The ICC is the university body responsible for examining complaints of sexual harassment on campus.
According to reports, students have been called to record their statements as part of the inquiry. The process remains ongoing.
JNU has not publicly disclosed the identity of the professor involved. The university administration has also not issued a detailed public statement setting out the allegations.
The professor has denied the allegations, according to reports, describing them as false and baseless.
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