The sexual harassment charge against Prof N S Rangaraju of the Department of Ancient History and Archaeology, University of Mysore, has been proved by the University Complaint Committee (UCC) led by Prof Asna Urooj. Rangaraju’s research student had accused him of sexual harassment.
The report submitted by Prof Urooj has been accepted by the Syndicate of the UoM at its meeting presided over by Vice-Chancellor K S Rangappa on Tuesday.
The report gains significance as Prof Rangaraju, who will retire on Friday, has been eyeing the Vice-Chancellor’s post of Bangalore University. The then vice-chancellor Prof V G Talwar had handed over the sexual harassment complaint to the Sensitisation, Prevention and Redressal of Sexual Harassment (SPARSH), which referred the matter to the UCC, to hear the charges on merit basis.
In the report, Prof Asna Urooj recommended maximum punishment to Prof Rangaraju as per the guidelines given to the UCC.
“As we cannot recommend specific action like cutting off the increment or withholding promotion as he is going to retire, we recommended that the Syndicate award him maximum punishment. If the Syndicate takes a bold decision, his pension and other retirement benefits will not be settled easily,” a Committee member said.
Vice-Chancellor K S Rangappa told Express that the Syndicate has accepted the report and a debate on it needs to be held before taking the final decision.
Rangaraju said that though the complainant had wished to withdraw following M P Mahadevaiah, HoD, of Ancient History and Archaeology, replacing him as guide, the varsity did not consider it. “Hence, it was confirmed that there is a conspiracy to prevent me from becoming the V-C. I am seriously considering legal steps based on the final outcome of the Syndicate,” he added.
`10,000 Fine and Increment Cut
In another incident, the UCC recommended that the Syndicate levy a fine of `10,000 and cut the increment of Prof Shivappa, HoD of Social Work, UoM, for his rude behaviour with his colleague.