Pics: Meryick D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (MD)
Mangalore, Jul 22: The students of St Raymond's College at Vamanjoor here protested on Tuesday July 22 against the alleged sexual harassment of a student by a lecturer that came to light on Monday July 21. The college, meanwhile, came out in strong defence of the accused lecturer.
Harish, a Kannada lecturer in the college has been accused of harassing a PU student by sending her lewd text messages, trying to touch her and so on for the past one year. The incident came to light on Monday late evening after the girl attempted suicide and her parents lodged a complaint with the Kankanady police.
Police officials including DCP (crime) Dr K V Jagadish, inspector Raghav Padil, Dharmendra and Pawan Nejjur held a meeting with the school management on steps to be taken in the matter and measures to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
Addressing the media after the meeting, principal of the college Sr Cecilia D'Souza said, "Harish has been a teacher here for 12 years and till now we have never received any complaint of sexual harassment or anything against him. The teacher was strict, which was not liked by some of the students."
"The girl in question is studying in second PU. The other students had complained that she used to trouble them, after which, she gave a written statement admitting her guilt. On July 21, the lecturer examined a few issues and advised the girl accordingly. The girl accepted her fault. We cannot reveal details of the matter in view of the student's future. But we will cooperate with the police and give them all the information they require," she said.
"The girl never brought the alleged sexual harassment to the notice of the management. We came to know about it only yesterday after the complaint was lodged. Harish is a disciplined and responsible teacher. He was concerned about the students, but his strict way of dealing with them was disliked by some," she said.
"We will set up a committee to probe the charges levelled by the student. We will take appropriate action if the accused is found guilty," she added.
Sr Mariette, corporate manager of Bethany Institutions of Mangalore and Udupi also defended the lecturer and said that he never treated anyone badly.
Meanwhile, students and parents gathered at the college premises and protested. Some of the ABVP activists who came into the campus were driven out by the police. They later started protesting on the road.
Speaking to the media, a student said, "We do not need protection. They might give protection today, but tomorrow who will protect us? The management is asking us to either remain in college or go home. We are not going home, we are here to protest."
At the same time, another group of students came in support of the lecturer and insisted that no action must be taken against him. The group supporting him and the one against him shouted slogans outside the college.
Monty D'Souza, an attender in the college, defended accused Harish and said, "Harish has been here since 2002 and he never created any trouble or problem. Girls whose behaviour is improper have problems with him. Harish is a highly disciplined person. All allegations against him are false."