Once again Assam University, Silchar is in the spotlight after an FIR filed against professor over sexual harassment case on May 4. Within May month this is the second case in Assam University of this type of harassment case.
Assam University, Silchar assistant Professor Ajit Kumar Jena of social work is facing the allegation of sexual harassment, criminal intimidation, defamation and mental harassment of students.
On May 4, Sunday, the Assam University’ Union (AUSU) and ABVP has staged protest outside the university gate in response of FIR lodged against the professor Ajit Kumar Jena. The FIR lodged by multiple students accusing, the professor of misconduct and abuse of power.
According to FIR, the professor allegedly made vulgar, sexually explicit, and defamatory remarks during both individual and group conference (IC/GC) sessions. It also claimed that he pressured female students to meet him alone in isolated places, such as restaurants and cabins, where he used abusive language, made derogatory comments about their personal lives, and threatened them with academic consequences if they did not comply.
In FIR it stated that, “On various occasions, including 23rd April, 28th April, and other dates, Mr. Jena used his authority under the guise of IC/GC meetings to coerce, manipulate, threaten, and make sexually explicit, vulgar, and defamatory remarks about us, our faculty and fellow students.”
It further states that the professor made serious allegations about students and faculty, including inappropriate and false accusations regarding their character. Students also allege that he manipulated them into giving false statements and mentally harassed them using his authority.
Is also stated it FIR that, “He forced us to remain with him at odd hours in isolated places like restaurants and cabins, made abusive allegations, used sexually offensive language, manipulated our statements, and threatened us with academic punishments like failure or detention in field work and classes.”
The student also stated that they will provide all the evidence such as call recording, screenshots, and witness accounts to support their allegations.
Assam University Students’ Union (AUSU) Vice President Utsav Singh stated:
“Professor Ajit Kumar Jena asked disturbing and inappropriate questions to female students—some so offensive that I cannot repeat them. He even asked students how many times they had sex and bragged about receiving massages from girls during his time at Delhi University. These incidents occurred during IC/GC sessions linked to field work.”
The professor also threatened the students who support the victim by stating that they would fail their exams if they spoke up.
Another woman representative from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) expressed strong condemnation, stating:
“I feel ashamed that our university has such professors. ABVP will stand firmly for the dignity of our sisters. We demand the immediate arrest of this professor. Such immoral behavior cannot be allowed to continue on our campus.”
Also read: Assam University Staff accused of molestation a Minor Arrested by Cachar Police
This is not the first time, earlier in this year this types of incidents held in Assam University Silchar. On January 31, a 14-year-old minor girl allegedly molested by a lower division employee Faruk Ahmed at the Law Department of Assam University.
Also read: Assam University Staff accused of molestation a Minor Arrested by Cachar Police
