Women Commission serves notice on PJTAU VC over harassment complaint

The Telangana State Commission for Women has directed PJTAU Vice-Chancellor Alidas Janaiah to appear for an enquiry into a sexual harassment and intimidation complaint by an assistant professor. Meanwhile, university staff and students staged protests demanding action.

Hyderabad: The Telangana State Commission for Women has issued a notice to Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTAU) Vice-Chancellor Alidas Janaiah, directing him to appear before it at 12.30 pm on Thursday for an enquiry.

An Assistant Professor at PJTAU, had lodged a complaint with the Commission accusing Janaiah of sexual harassment and intimidation.

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Acting on the complaint, the Commission issued a notice to the Vice-Chancellor, directing him to appear for an enquiry into the allegations. The Commission also confirmed that the notice had been served on him.

Interestingly, the Commission has not officially shared a copy of the notice with the media. Generally, notices issued to individuals or organisations in connection with complaints of harassment against women are shared with the media. However, this practice was not followed in the case involving the PJTAU Vice-Chancellor.

Meanwhile, PJTAU staff and students staged protests on the university campus against Janaiah. Holding placards, they raised slogans demanding action against the Vice-Chancellor.

The protesters, particularly women employees and students, expressed concern over the allegations, questioning who would ensure justice and protect women on the campus if the head of the university himself faced such charges.

They also pointed out that teaching staff facing similar allegations in the past had been suspended from service and questioned why no action had been taken against Janaiah.

“The government should initiate action and examine the allegations. Who will protect women on the campus? A committee should be constituted to probe the injustice allegedly faced by a woman professor,” the staff demanded.