Twelve faculty members of NUJS Kolkata, the alma mater of the former student who accused retired Supreme Court judge AK Ganguly of sexual harassment during her internship a year ago, have issued a statement in her support today.
Earlier this month NUJS vice chancellor Ishwara Bhatt said that the university would discuss Ganguly’s position at the college, where he remains an honorary professor, at the next executive council meeting in January 2014. Ganguly has denied any “misbehaviour” of sexual nature, which a Supreme Court committee of three judges prima facie established after hearing testimonials of the intern (“SJ”), three witnesses on her behalf and Ganguly.
On the 6th of November, 2013, Ms. [SJ], one of our former students wrote a blog post highlighting the conflicting range of emotions that she underwent in the aftermath of sexual harassment at the hands of a retired judge of the Supreme Court of India. Subsequent to this, the Chief Justice of India constituted a Committee (SCC) to look into the charges leveled by her. SCC found that [SJ]’s statements “prima facie discloses an act of unwelcome behaviour (unwelcome verbal/non-verbal conduct of sexual nature)”. After this, key portions from [SJ]’s affidavit outlining the horrific incident was disclosed to a newspaper by a high ranking law officer of the country. Further, press reports indicate that the Attorney General of India has opined to the Union Home Ministry that “[…] [it] is a fit case for action and there is enough evidence to proceed against the former Supreme Court judge”.
Considering the nature of allegations, and noting that [SJ] was a student, and the former judge was an honorary professor of NUJS at the time of incident, we feel that the latter’s continued association with our institution undermines the ideals of NUJS, an institution that has always strived to teach and foster justice, including gender justice. We believe that the position of a Professor is that of trust, and requires that such person be above reproach, especially above allegations of misbehaviour with students, particularly when such allegations have been found to have prima facie merit by a high level committee. Given that the former judge continues to remain an honorary professor at NUJS, we request the NUJS administration to take immediate steps to see to it that necessary action is initiated against the former judge.
We acknowledge the position taken by the Vice Chancellor, as reported in the media, about placing the matter of institution’s continued association with the former judge in the next Executive Council meeting. However in light of the findings of SCC and Supreme Court’s direction in Vishaka requiring the employer to take steps affirmatively, we call upon the NUJS administration including the Executive Council, the body responsible for appointments, to appropriately address this matter with utmost urgency. Till he is exonerated from all the charges leveled by [SJ], the University should, at the very least, dissociate itself from him. We must clarify here that we respect the right of the former judge and all other parties to pursue appropriate legal remedies and defend themselves as per due process of law.
We also note with concern the unwarranted statements from several quarters attributing political motives to [SJ]’s blog posts and deposition. We are particularly appalled at the insinuation by the retired judge that [SJ] is a political pawn and strongly condemn this character assassination. We also condemn all other statements that attempt to politicize the issue. Such statements are deeply disrespectful to [SJ] and trivialize her experience. These insinuations are also symptomatic of the manner in which issues of gender and power are turned into partisan political contests and we call upon all to resist such attempts.
1. Shamnad Basheer, MHRD Chaired Professor of IP Law, NUJS
2. Saurabh Bhattacharjee, Assistant Professor, NUJS
3. Anirban Chakraborty, Assistant Professor, NUJS [On Leave]
4. Lovely Dasgupta, Assistant Professor, NUJS
5. Ruchira Goswami, Assistant Professor, NUJS
6. Daniel Mathew, Assistant Professor, NUJS
7. Nandan Nawn, Assistant Professor, NUJS
8. Arup Kumar Poddar, Associate Professor, NUJS
9. Tilottama Raychaudhuri, Assistant Professor, NUJS
10. Shameek Sen, Assistant Professor, NUJS
11. N.S. Sreenivasulu, Associate Professor, NUJS
12. TVGNS Sudhakar, Associate Professor, NUJS
Read more on what legal steps could happen next in the #InternJudge story
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The following are some teachers who did not sign:
Abhishek Mishra
M.P Chengappa
Anirban Mazumdar
Kavita Singh
Vaneeta Patnaik
Are you shocked they didnt? All professors like [...] have done his entire life is suck up to the VC. By writing this letter, the relevant faculty members have questioned the VC about the inaction on his part. And well [...] signature wouldnt have made a difference anyway.
Everyone knows that the VC's relations with Justice Ganguly. After all AKG had a significant role to play in Ishwara Bhat's appointment as the VC.
Long time ago, we had spoken against these people... now the time has come when our words have come true. ,,
o Horror.. Horror..
Spot on. Commenter #4 is an idiot. Using that logic, parents who slap their kids can be said to sexually harass them!
I pity your legal reasoning powers.
At least dont challenge the intention of the professors who have taken such a big step? its quite possible that she had approached only the VC and the other senior professors.
Also, one of the reasons why the entire issue gained important was because Shamnad vociferously decided to back Stella.
Scooter buddy, maybe now not give out victim name any more? Common practice, no?
I am indeed happy with the pro-active stand taken by you in favour of one of my fellow students of the University however, your politically correct and legally sound statement begets some questions from this former student (from the 'bottom rungs' of his class):
Was the assignment that the good lady SJ on during her meeting with the Ld. Justice on 06.11.2013, part of a university assigned internship? If yes, what are the guidelines and procedures set out by the University to protect its students?
Also, did the good lady SJ officially inform the University about the incident and seek redress? If yes, what was the action taken by the internal committee (presumably set up by the University post the Visakha recommendations,)pursuant to the complaint?
If No, I would like to ask my dear esteemed teachers,pray how do you ask the University to take action against the Judge in compliance of the Vishaka Recommendations as the present allegation in no way constitutes sexual harassment at "workplace".
Also, an ANI report dated November 30, 4:49 pm quoting the VC Prof Eswara Bhatt states that the concerned Judge is already under 'suspension'. How do you disassociate the institution from a Hon. professor who is already under 'suspension', without a formal inquiry?
Dear teachers, (some of you are also my classmates and good friends), I would sincerely request you to encourage the good lady SJ to file an FIR without any further delay and let the law take its own course. Also, all of you could collectively use your vast knowledge of the law and experience to help all victims of sexual harassment without looking into the background of the accused (irrespective of the fact that he may be a former SC Judge or one of your own colleagues).
Also, could you please enlighten us to the action taken by the University w.r.t. the sexual harassment charge against a non teaching staff by an assistant registrar and how many statements did the esteemed faculty issue in support of the hapless lady who was allegedly sexually harassed by the Honorable AR for over a year?
What was the action taken by the University against an Hon'ble lady teacher who slapped a student in full public view inside an examination hall? Further, what was the statement issued by the Faculty members against the said teacher and for the student? I am fairly certain that the accused lady teacher is a signatory to the present petition.
A parting (albeit unsolicited) advice to some others please stop being holier than thou and 'practice what you preach'.
Much Obliged.
Hello, here'a "much obliged" comment. Who gets this?
just a case of some old memories...coming back...
Lets bring fairness to this issue, all that has happened is to squash the reputation that Mr. Ganguly has had, so, he does deserve a trail for the justice.
:)
What do u want to speak and talk ? U remain silent on Ishwar Bhatt and M..P.Singh.U published abt one illegal appointee with illegal financial benefit leaving NUJS and remained silent on the illegal appointent & illegal financial benefits. . Was it not known to you ? Mr. Kian what else u have yo speak ?
Please see Kian's reply to the set of questions to all the 12 Faculty of NUJS
www.ndtv.com/video/player/the-social-network/sexual-harassment-universities-failing-students/302820
Just saw the NDTV broadcast. It's astounding how apparently learned people (like Shamnad and the DU professor) and the un-learned (the anchor) can colloborate to produce a nonsensical piece of work, which serves only to fool and confuse viewers and which set all wrong examples.
Shamnad's insinuations of the "close ties" between the VC and AKG as the reason why nothing was done amounts to pure contempt of the VC. Whether there is merit to that or not, it is intolerable for a VC (or any head) to have a junior speak in this manner. It sends the message that Shamnad is his own university and creates two power centres. Even Shamnad should have the sense not to speak in this manner.
Another conspicuous hypocrisy is that [...] Shamnad, etc. only go on record when the issue is a "popular" issue. Where was he when the non-teaching staff member was sexually harassed by someone in the administration? I dont recall Shamnad (or any of these "signatories") voicing even a single sentence in favour of the victim then (even though that was legally a more sound case where the victim chose to lodge a police complaint).
Some of what Shamnad says on TV is a mixture of silliness and diverting. He equates the university not having an anti-harassment policy with AKG's technical defence that the amended IPC provision on harassment did not apply to him. If you see the TV clip, the DU lady shuts him up by saying that the Vishaka judgment has been around "for a very long time". Instead of speaking on what the university can do or cannot do against AKG, he hijacks the topic and brings up the general question on "social customs" and "mores". NDTV should make it clear that these people are airing their own personal views and are not spokespersons of the university.
The letter of support signed by these faculty members is a ridiculous piece of drama done only for the purpose of putting in place an alibi so that they can say later that "we did our best". The fact remains is that the list of signatories is itself very suspect consisting of two people themselves complicit in assault on students, one attention-seeker, one who tried to cover-up the sexual harassment of a non-teaching staff and two non-entities.
Coming to the issue of the lack of action against AKG (as an honorary professor) and the recent "support letter", students and working lawyers should know that that disciplinary proceedings have to be founded on something concrete and a poor proceeding is worse than no proceeding. How is NUJS to proceed against AKG?? By issuing him a show-cause notice stating that "Media and blog reports show that you have harassed one of our former students? Please explain why no action should be taken against you"?? Speak to any lawyer who practices service law and they will laugh this case out. Those readers of LI who are associates can imagine how stupid it will be if they "suspend" a junior associate based on gossip that a victim has complained to the former landlord of the junior associate.
My conclusion is that the university is in a difficult situation and (being state-run) it is not easy to take "action" against senior officials in the absence of even a police complaint. Imagination and action are two different creatures and wishful thinking does not translate into a sound ground for disciplinary proceedings. It is also a conclusion that people like Shamnad Basheer are only there for sound-bytes and TV-time and more interested in furthering their own "psuedo-celebrity" status rather than genuine concern. As a matter of fact the contrast between his [...] and the genuinely concerned DU professor was so apparent that its not funny.
It seems the most learned of all LI readers has finally spoken! Pray tell what purpose will be served by the Vishakha guidelines given that NUJS has absolutely no internal structure to act on or dispose of the matter in a credible, transparent manner. Irrespective of whether or not there was a legal recourse available to the intern within the ambit of the Vishakha guidelines, it is not too difficult to imagine how the matter would turn given that the VC and the retired judge in question share a cozy equation. It does not take a genius to figure out the consequence of such a gaping lack of reliable complaint mechanism available within the framework of University policies. Too much would be left in the hands of the VC and we can all imagine why that may be considered as unfair by many. After all, justice must not only be done but also seem to have been done! And going by how the VC has been complicit in the other sexual harassment case you have cited (the one involving his own staff who was sexually harassed by the administrative registrar), you really think that the intern would have had any confidence whatsoever in reporting the alleged harassment to the University authorities? To educate yourself in regards to the pathetic role of the NUJS administration (and VC) a little better, please see this recent news item that goes on to throw light on the disgraceful attempts to brush the matter under the carpet: indiatoday.intoday.in/story/nujs-trying-to-shield-siddhartha-guha-alleges-sexual-harassment-victim/1/333517.html
Let’s all take a step back and see what has ended up ruffling so many feathers -- Shamnad has rightly called a spade, a spade. And you have an issue with this. If all faculty and administration of NUJS resorted to sycophancy of the VC, nobody would ever dare to oppose him no matter how unjust or retrograde the steps suggested by him may be. Just imagine what would happen to poor NUJS! As it is, the institution has been hogging the media attention for all the wrong reasons. As a matter of fact, all of its stellar faculty have left, post Ishwar Bhat took over as VC. Some might even go on to say that many steps that have been taken by the VC in his administrative capacity are detrimental to the image and interests of the institution in the long run.
That you equate speaking out against the nexus between the VC and Ganguly J as “intolerable” behaviour on account of Shamnad being “junior” to the VC in the hierarchy makes one instantly come to the conclusion that you pride yourself in being a yes-man to your superiors no matter how unjust the consequences and that you have no mind of your own.
Not sure why you take issue with Prof Basheer's statement? Its common news to all at NUJS. And now, it is also known to outsiders, because of the outlook article by Nikhil Kanekal, where he makes this same link between VC and Ganguly:
“However, members of the university say they are afraid to complain against the judge because of the nature of the relationship he shares with the institution. Sources point out that the judge was part of a committee which appointed the vice-chancellor to his post and therefore it was unlikely the latter would pursue the matter under the university’s sexual harassment code. “No one from the university is willing to speak out against the judge because of the close equation that he shares with the vice-chancellor. They are friends and he had appointed the V-C,” says a faculty member who did not wish to be named.”
www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?288547
So there is a point in why Stella may not have reposed faith in the VC and complained no?
Pursuant to my post yesterday, there has been a significant development. The Kolkata police has arrested the Hon'ble Assitant Registrar on very grave charges of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation among others...
Reports in two'reputed'media houses i.e.TOI and NDTV have both indicated that the University and a "section" of teachers have either actively shielded the accused and or tried to make light of the allegations of the victim by sitting on it.
Now my question to the set of learned faculty who have so vehemently and passionately espoused the cause of the victim in the Justice Ganguly affair, where was this public show of support for your own colleague during the time i.e. July 2012 when this story broke?
Did the same set of Ld. faulty members issue a statement, ask the University to 'disassociate' itself from the accused and take the matter up to the Executive Council?
What did the Ld. official spokesperson of the University have to say then?
A little birdie even tells me that there was an active effort on the part of the faculty even tried to reach an 'amicable' solution. with one of the Ld. Faculty members even willing to go on oath testifying the good character of the accused.
Thankfully, it seems some good seems to have prevailed at the last moment and the Ld. Faculty has desited from signing the present petition...
Pardon my impertinence, my statements in the para above are just "hearsay" and "unlike" the present case, the July incident was based "only" the victim's word against the Hon'ble AR (the accused)...or was it?
The victim at that time was unfortunately no student(she is a non-teaching staff) and the 'accused' no retired Judge of the Apex Court(he an Assistant Registrar, Academic) or simply the accused was one your own, and the matter "a ghar ka mamla".
Anyway, taking up the issue in July in a big way (even by some Ld. Faculty members on study leave)would have been a waste of your valuable time and would not have grabbed headlines and eyeballs nationally (who cares about the TOI Kolkata edition, 6th page)?
Why wash dirty linen in public, right? And why do I sense some internal university politics in this? Damn the present VC and his maladministration and let the righteous rule...
docs.google.com/a/nujs.edu/file/d/0B4XaA30casoDaWlRWXl3ak90QWs/edit?usp=sharing&pli=1
I wish LI would address these issues and specifically question the prof who wrote the above book review. It would really be great if Kian asks him some questions Arnab Goswami style!
Please see Kina's reply to my questions to all the 12 Faculty of NUJS
Thanks for the great forward!
What a fantastic book review!
Are his lectures also like that?
I have posted one comment today morning around 9.30AM where in a SET OF QUESTIONS were placed to all the 12 Faculty Members of NUJS.
Surprisingly the comment has not appeared here till now which I feel has been blocked by LI.
May I ask LI why did u block the set of questions addressed to 12 Faculty of NUJS ?
Or would say once again that the SERVER has swallowed it ?
Is it fair enough for LI to block comments on the questions raised to all the 12 FACULTY OF NUJS? Or it is quite uncomfortable questions in the LI website ?
2. It contains a lot of names but uncorroborated allegations.
3. Trying to figure out if any substance to your allegations, until then we can either publish it with blanked names, or you can wait.
4. You or someone like that leaves similar comments on basically every single NUJS story and so far we have yet to see anyone agree or actually provide solid evidence to those allegations...
Best wishes
Kian
Dear Kian
It seems you are not fully aware of the situation in NUJS. Your point No. 4 - you have not yet seen someone agree or provide solid evidence. I am sorry to say that as an journalist and also as a writer on NUJS you are not aware what happened in NUJS on Aug 13 in NUJS on the evidence that has produced to the competent authority. You are also not aware why the Registrar and the VC was dragged to High Court of Calcutta. You are also not aware on the notice issued to NUJS by the WB SIC office.
Please note that questions has been raised which is no more as an allegation.
I hope lots of leads has been given to you and it is now you to dig up the evidence. Evidences are with us .. so if we can get it how come you cant get it ?
No names has been taken in the questions. But if you feel it is the names then you must appreciate that names are taken only with documents as evidence and we are all bold enough to take the names.
Don't worry - you will hear soon ...... and we assure you that all the 12 Faculty will be asked the same question in the appropriate platform.
Best of luck to you. We assure you that NUJS will set right.
Its up to you to publish the questions or some one else will do it
Sorry there was a typographical error
"We assure you that NUJS will set right. "
It should be read as
" We assure you that we all together will set right in NUJS. After all NUJS belongs to the Nation and to students and NUJS does not belong to corrupt people or people who work for their own benefits"
Kian - Is there any harm to write in CAPS ? To correct myself can you please inform us where it is written that questions cannot be asked in CAPS ? It has been written in caps only to draw the attention of the 12 Faculty of NUJS. Sorry if it has upset to anyone.
Once again - Sorry for the above typographical error.
Quoting GUEST:
Quoting bread:
Quoting bread:
Thanks for your comments. May I know when people in NUJS are humilated for exposing illegalities of M.P.Singh & people are harrased for RTI & have to go to court then where is the basic netiquette of NUJS ? Can we all receive your reply ?
I dont want to keep every one guessing about my identity much...I am an Alumni and here to rejuvinate MUCH OBLIGED....
With due respect to the faculties of the institute which must get maximum credit for what i am today in my life I am sharing some of my thoughts...
Things have changed over a period of 13 years...13 unlucky for Indians... Similarly it is a dark year for my University...Two very high profile sexual harrassment cases in relation to institute....Allegation of it not dealt properly by University...
AND the way it has been made public....makes me feel today learning of Prof. Mennon is of no use today...I recollect the days when MUCH OBLIGED was put up on the mess notice board...For last 12 years following what prof. Mennon tought us..many such issues were dealt without making it public...I felt it is quite healthy practice....
But (-)respected faculty members I take pleasure of learning from u that now one should first go public then create media pressure on adminstration and get things done...
However, still I am confused about the timing and purpose of making this kind of letter available to press...
I understand college is closed now..and hopefully there was a faculty meeting just before it was closed...Did u discuss there??? If discussed why letter after meeting... If not discussed then what was so urgent in this case when Retired Judge concerned has not taken classes for quite some time and no class immediately... Who benefitted from this publicity stance??? Institute or "SOME"
If Prof. mennon's learning was not wrong then I publicly criticise Prof. Sen (Who is also student of the batch publishing MUCH OBLIGED) and Prof. Dasgupta for not following Prof. Mennon's education...I feel at least there are two students for who Dr. Mennon must be ashamed...U two have very critical role in University..If I am correct in criticising u 2..Pl criticise this publication publicly.... and persons responsible for such irresponsible and reckless publication....I am sure Dr. Mennon shall see this post and agree to me...
I am also surpirsed with Prof Goswami being part of this [...] team..We thought u r the most stable headed faculty institute ever had and now a senior member of the NUJS family..But u seems to have forgotten the tradition of NUJS and advices of Dr. Mennon...as till now no public criticism by u for such publicity stance...Pillar of NUJS fallen with ur silence...
None is evaluating the role of editor (though I know VC is editor in chief and like head of institute everything cannont be scrutinised by him)of the blog...As this is a public forum I am not writing any thing about it but clearly contemplating to approach competent authority for redressing my grievance...
So those who are responsible for bringing the skelleton out introspect urself...and then if u think absolutely nothing wrong in raising grievance in public remove all marks of Prof Mennon-Prof Gangotri Chakrabarty-Prof Bhabani P Panda-Prof (Late) D Banerjea from NUJS and henceforth disassociate these faculties from NUJS for imperting wrong education...
MUCH OBLIGED MUCH OBLIGED
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