SALEM: Students of a private women’s college in Kondalampatti sat on a protest on Monday opposing reinstatement of the prinicipal, who was cleared of sexual harassment charges.
According to sources, V Balaji served as principal of the college from August 22, 2014. The college administration sent him on compulsory leave in January 2024 after some women faculty members levelled sexual harassment charges against him.
Balaji appealed against this before the Directorate of College Education (Dharmapuri). After hearing his submission, the Directorate of College Education directed the college to reinstate Balaji as Principal.
N Ramalakshmi, Joint Director of College Education (Dharmapuri region), in her order dated March 1, 2024, said, “The preliminary investigation reveals that the college administration is at fault in this matter. So Balaji needs to be given the job again.”
On Monday, Balaji went to the college to join work. Opposing his arrival, students sat in front of the gate and raised slogans. Kondalampatti police tried to pacify them but the students insisted that Balaji should not be allowed inside the college. Police assured the students they would take up the issue with the Directorate of College Education officials.