Monday, September 10, 2018

Ph.D student alleges harassment by guide

CHENNAI, SEPTEMBER 10, 2018 00:00 IST

However, professor lists complaints against him

A Ph.D student of Presidency College has filed a complaint against his guide with the Anna Square police station alleging harassment.

The student has complained against an English professor of the college under The Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, alleging that he was not being allowed to complete his course work. He also alleged that he had been asked to sign a letter that he would withdraw from the Ph.D programme.

The police said they were investigating the case. An officer said an inquiry was conducted with other students and faculty members in the department, besides former students of the professor. The complaint was filed a month ago and the police said investigation was still on.

‘Unacceptable requests’

Sakya Sakthi, an activist, said often SC students were asked to comply with unacceptable requests such as doing chores for their guides. He also complained that the scholarship money was inordinately delayed or denied to such students.

Students from SC/ST communities also had difficulty in understanding and were often asked to give up their studies as they could not meet the academic requirements, he said.

N. Bindu, the professor, said the candidate was a full-time student under her guideship, but had not been regular to college. He was admitted in 2014, and till 2018 he has not even chosen a research topic.

Surprising allegations

“How can he file a six-monthly report without a topic? He did not come to college regularly. I admitted him as he was honest and came with a recommendation. He should have presented a paper in an international seminar and in a national seminar by now,” she said.

The candidate did not appear for the inquiry instituted by the college either. On August 30, he was asked to sign an undertaking that he would make progress in one year. He was also advised to convert to a part-time research scholar, Ms. Bindu said.

Faculty members in other departments said they were surprised at the allegations against the professor as she was considered to be a good teacher.

The candidate could not be reached for comment.

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