Assam University Sexual Harrasment case:  Protest continues, students demand suspension of Sudipto Sarkar

Assam University Silchar is a result of our forefathers’ selflessness, grit and determination. Series of strikes and movements got this University sanctioned. Educational institution should manifest lives and create a brighter future. This institution too, in the past shaped some great careers but those stories have now faded to oblivion.

These days the University is going through an administration crisis with cases of sexual harassment looming like dark clouds overhead. Thursday, HOD of Agricultural Engineering Department, Sudipto Sarkar was removed from the post of HOD by vice-chancellor in charge D K Pandya.

Pandya took the decision on the basis of a final year student’s accusations and Internal Complain Committee’s insights. A huge rally from the Student’s Union demanding the suspension of accused Sudipto Sarkar too played a vital role in the decision making.

After Pandya announced his decision to remove Sarkar from the post of HOD, it was decided that Professor Prasanna GB would take the charges as head of the department of Agricultural Engineering. A notification was also published stating the same.

Friday narrated a totally different story. When the students went to the HOD’s office they discovered controversial figure and close aide of accused Sarkar, L N Sethi sitting in the HOD’s chair. That irked the student’s union and under the leadership of the president Milon Das, a huge group of students assembled and marched towards the vice chancellor Dilip Chandra Nath’s cabin. There they dethroned his chair. Paul is in Delhi at this stage on a call from Ministry Of Human Resource and Development (MHRD).

The protest further intesified and the procession marched towards the administrative building seeking answers to why instead of Prasanna, Sethi was made the HOD of the Agricultural Engineering department. The administration did not have any answers to that and to bring the situation under control, D K Pandya, in front of the students union, summoned both Sethi and Prasanna. Then and there Sethi handed over the charges to professor Prasanna.

The students union’s demand is to see Sudipto Sarkar out permanently. Milan Das, president of the union said that if Sarkar is not suspended by Monday afternoon, they will not allow vice chancellor D C Nath enter the University premises. If needed, they will call for an indefinite strike. In the past too, many students union protested for many different things, but this incident of removing vice chancellor’s chair stays as a one of a kind.

To know the allegations against Proffesor SudiptoSarkar, read this- Sexual Harassment In Assam University: Sudipto Sarkar Removed From The Post Of HOD