The Veer Narmad South Gujarat University’s (VNSGU) decision to form of a four-member committee to investigate the complaints of girls students against a physical training teacher is alleged to be violation of University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines.
As per the guidelines, complaints of harassment to girls by male faculty should be inquired by women’s cell. But the varsity has ignored these and formed a committee.
Several girl students of VNSGU submitted written complaints against Amit Patel, a lecturer of physical training at Evening Commerce College, alleging that he made them to sit-ups on the road and passed lewd comments when the sports team had gone to Punjab in January.
Those with the victim girls have also shot a video as evidence to prove that they were made to do sit-ups.
The committee comprises syndicate member Vinod Patel, dean of commerce faculty, V D Naik, chariman of board of sports, Kiritsinh Vasadiya and a senior sports faculty, Dharmistha.
The committee was formed by VNSGU Vice Chancellor Dakshesh Thakar, almost 20 days after the girls’ rifle shooting team submitted their complaints.
Despite being a serious complaint, women’s cell is not looking into.
“Out of four in the committee, three members are associated with board of sports and related activities. They cannot carry out unbiased inquiry in. Further, it is clear violation of UGC guideline. The committee should be formed with a woman as chairperson and members of NGO and someone from outside the university,” said Kalpesh Rawal, in-charge of ABVP for south Gujarat affairs, ToI reported.
