Karnataka - Mysore   

Protest against ‘harassment’ by college management

— PHOTO: M.A. SRIRAM

Plea: Members of the English Teachers’ Forum staging a protest in Mysore on Monday.

MYSORE: Members of the English Teachers’ Forum held a demonstration in front of the Crawford Hall here on Monday in protest against the “harassment” of teachers by Banumaiah’s College management.

The management had refused to relieve Anuradha Ramamurthy, an English professor who had served the institution for 36 years, who was to retire on Monday. The management asked her to appear before a committee appointed to inquire into the “flimsy” charges levelled against her, said S.R. Ramesh, president of the forum.

Prof. Ramesh alleged that Vijayakumar, who had taken over as Principal six months ago, was harassing teachers, especially those who come under the University Grants Commission scheme. Frustrated with the “harassment,” three women lecturers had complained to the Women Harassment Redressal Cell of Mysore University. But despite a notice, Mr. Vijayakumar had refused to appear before the committee. The cell, which inquired into the complaint of the women lecturers, had submitted a report to the Mysore University Syndicate, Prof. Ramesh said.

The Syndicate, which met on May 16, had written to the college management asking it to restore the increment due to Prof. Ramamurthy, whichhad been withheld. It requested the Director of Collegiate Education to initiate disciplinary action against Mr. Vijayakumar, Prof. Ramesh said.

The management asked Prof. Ramamurthy to appear before the inquiry committee appointed by the college on the day of her retirement. The forum held a demonstration in protest against this. Its office-bearers met the management on behalf of the teacher.

“The management finally agreed to relieve Prof. Ramamurthy”, Prof. Ramesh added.

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