The Hindu : New Delhi News : Aurobindo College teacher alleges foul play

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Thursday, Mar 11, 2010
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New Delhi

Aurobindo College teacher alleges foul play

Urvashi Sarkar

Asks for a CBI probe into complaint against him

NEW DELHI: A 57-year-old Associate Professor at Sri Aurobindo College, Dr. Vasdev Narang, accused of harassment by some of his girl students, has alleged that the charges are false and being made to prevent him from becoming the vice-principal.

Prof. Narang has written to Union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal asking for a CBI inquiry into the matter, while some college students' union members have written to Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit protesting against alleged attempts at “character assassination”.

“I was to become vice-principal in 2005 as per my seniority. Yet the post has been denied to me. Certain lobbies in the college have been unduly pressurising the college authorities in their selection of the vice-principal,” claimed Dr. Narang.

“The college is to receive Rs.16 crore for creating facilities for the Other Backward Classes. There are 22 non-teaching vacant posts. A new building is coming up on the campus. Since there is a lot at stake, these lobbies want to dictate the selection of the vice-principal.” “Academically I have sound credentials and have always been punctual and regular. The only way left to damage my credentials and prospects was by accusing me of moral misconduct,” he added.

Dr. Narang alleged he received a phone call on February 23 informing him that some girls were planning to complaint against him for misbehaviour. Some students in a written complaint had alleged that the manner in which Dr. Narang taught was embarrassing, that he discussed topics such as rape in class, and invited students to teach on holidays.

In his response, Dr. Narang said subjects such as rape were not in the syllabus he taught. Certain other subjects had to be taught as they were in the syllabus. He denied inviting students on holidays as the college did not pay him for extra classes.

Meanwhile, according to college authorities, the college Governing Body met on February 26 and directed the College Complaints Committee to conduct a fair and time-bound enquiry into the matter. The college Principal had been directed to ensure that the students concerned were not victimised or intimidated. It was decided that Dr. Narang would be given a fair hearing, and if found guilty, disciplinary action would be initiated.

The Principal, Dr. Hari Om, said: “The appointment of the vice-principal is guided by the Delhi University ordinance XVIII and is the college Governing Body's prerogative. Seniority is not the only consideration in appointments. The qualifications and suitability of the person is also kept in mind.”

He that Dr. Narang would no longer be associated with the practicals/internal assessment of the upcoming examinations.

DUSU vice-president Kriti Wadhera said: “The DUSU anti-sexual harassment committee received a complaint against Dr. Narang. We approached the college Principal and demanded that Dr. Narang be suspended from all his examination duties.”

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