Harassment Slur On Assistant Professor Of Odisha’s Sambalpur University

Sambalpur:  An assistant professor of Political Science department of Sambalpur University has accused one of her male colleagues of harassment.

In her complaint to the Vice-Chancellor, the assistant professor and coordinator of the Political Science and Public Administration Department of the premier educational institute alleged that Dr Rajat Kumar Kujur, an assistant professor of the same department, had been mentally harassing her since 2016. She accused him of being alcoholic and ill-treating his female colleague in an inebriated condition during office hours.

“The colleague has been levelling me as incapable and incompetent to discharge my duties. He orders me to do my work in an intoxicated condition,” she wrote.

Kujur had reportedly questioned the university authorities on the decision to appoint her as the coordinator of the department. ““If I am incompetent, how am I undertaking my responsibility in the University as Coordinator of SWAYAM, Chairman of the Board of Studies, Assistant Superintendent of Baitarani Ladies Hostel, Member of the Local Inquiry Committe, Committee Member for Scholarship Cell and Committee Member of Caste Discrimination?” she asked.

She also mentioned about a recent harassment after the AC at Kujur’s became dysfunctional. “On Aug 21, Dr Rajat Kumar Kujur came to me with a complaint regarding the AC of his room. I immediately communicated with Dr Mishra to track the status of repairing work and Dr Mishra instantly made a reminder call to the service centre in my presence, followed by another reminder call on the next day Aug 22 morning. We both have taken the prior responsibility to repair the AC and the same was communicated to Dr Kujur. I spite of such initiatives taken by the department, he constantly tortured me since 10 am on Aug 22 in intoxicated condition, harshly asking when the AC of his room be repaired,” she alleged.

She added that the department had become unsafe for a woman.

While urging the Vice Chancellor to take appropriate action to protect the self-esteem of the female employees of the varsity,  she added that she would be forced to move the National Commission for Women if her grievance is not resolved by the authorities.

While the Vice-Chancellor has constituted five-member committee and assured of appropriate action after a detailed probe, the concerned assistant professor could not be contacted for his comments.