Srinagar, May 8: The Jammu and Kashmir government has suspended Principal Amar Singh College and assistant professor of the institution, a day after the student demonstrations over allegations of verbal harrasment of a female student by a faculty member.
A top official told Greater Kashmir that the government has taken serious note of the issue and an inquiry has been ordered in this regard as well.
“The education minister is serious about the issue and has ordered an in-depth inquiry into the incident. The inquiry team has been given a one week time to complete the investigation and submit its report,” the official told Greater Kashmir.
On Thursday, the Head of the Department of Media Studies of Amar Singh College Srinagar was disassociated from all the academic affairs of the department with immediate effect, pending the outcome of the inquiry.
As per the order issued by the AS college principal, the decision was taken in response to the “demonstrations” held by the students of the Amar Singh College regarding the alleged harassment of a female student.
“The Proctorial Board has been entrusted with conducting a transparent and time-bound inquiry into the matter and shall submit its report within two days,” reads the order signed by Principal AS College Srinagar, Prof. Aijaz Hakak.
“In the meantime, Prof Nusrat Sayed shall look after the affairs of the Department of Media Studies till the completion of the investigation,” the order reads.
College principal on Thursday told media persons that a female student complained about the harassment by a faculty of the media department.
“The inquiry was ordered and the report will be submitted to the HED for appropriate action,” he said.
He however said that the students were pacified and were assured that action will be taken.
Meanwhile, a top official of HED told Greater Kashmir that the department is also investigating presence of outsiders spotted inside the college premises during student demonstrations.
“This needs to be investigated that how an outsider alongwith other persons was allowed inside the college to protest with the students,” the official told Greater Kashmir.
