Aruna Kumar, Senior PA to Principal, filed a complaint of sexual harassment against the OSD(Acting Principal) in January 2013, after which he had her room locked, ordered her transfer, refused to assign her any work and forced other staff to boycott her. As the reported threats and harassment continued, Aruna Kumar lodged an FIR and approached the NCW and DCW for relief. She also wrote to the Vice Chancellor and the Chairman of the Governing Body of ARSD College for suspension of the OSD to facilitate a fair enquiry as is stipulated in Ordinance XV(D). The DCW has written to the Apex Committee that it should conduct a proper enquiry into the complaint. 
More than a hundred teachers, karamcharis, students and activists of women’s organizations participated in the dharna today. The dharna was addressed by Office bearers of the DUTA and DUCKU, AIPWA, AIDWA, JNUSU, AISA and Secretary of Karamchari Union and several teachers of the College. Speakers pointed out that the failure to suspend the Principal of B. R. Ambedkar College pending enquiry into the complaint of sexual harassment by Pavitra Bhardwaj had led to tragic consequences. It was also pointed out that the systematic assault by the DU authorities on democratic institutions, spaces and culture in the University in order bulldoze academic restructuring has led to a steep increase in instances of harassment and exploitation. The gathering resolved to intensify the struggle if the demand for suspension of OSD pending enquiry was not met.
Leave a Reply