Assam University Professor Under Fire for Sexual Harassment, Intimidation

Assam University is once again in the spotlight for a serious case of alleged sexual harassment. Assistant Professor Ajit Kumar Jena from the Department of Social Work is facing allegations of sexual harassment, criminal intimidation, defamation, and mental harassment of students.

On Sunday (May 4), the Assam University Students’ Union (AUSU) and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) jointly organised a protest outside the university gate. The protest was in response to the FIR lodged against Assistant Professor Jena, accusing him of misconduct and abuse of power against multiple students.

According to the FIR filed by students of the Department of Social Work, the professor repeatedly made vulgar, sexually explicit and defamatory remarks during individual and group conference sessions. He allegedly forced female students to meet him in isolated locations, used inappropriate language, made derogatory comments about their personal lives, and threatened academic consequences if they did not comply.

The FIR read, “On various occasions including 23rd April, 28th April, and other dates, Mr. Jena used his authority under the guise of Individual Conference/ Group Conference (IC/GC) meetings to coerce, manipulate, threaten and make sexually explicit, vulgar, and defamatory remarks about us, our faculty, and fellow students”

The FIR further states that the accused professor made serious accusations against students and faculty, including claims of sexual activities and character attacks. It also mentions that he manipulated students into making false statements and used his position to mentally harass them.

“He forced us to remain with him at odd hours in isolated locations like restaurants and cabins, made derogatory allegations, used sexually abusive language, manipulated our statements, and continuously threatened us with academic repercussions including detention in class, field work, etc,” the FIR reads. The complainants also said they are ready to provide evidence, including call recordings, screenshots, and witness statements.

Addressing the media, AUSU Vice President Utsav Singh said, “Professor Ajit Kumar Jena had asked disturbing questions to female students—some of which I cannot even repeat. He asked them how many times they had sex and boasted about getting massages from girls during his time in Delhi University. These things were said during field work in the Department of Social Work under IC/GC sessions. He also threatened other students over the phone, saying they would fail if they stood with the victims.”

A woman representative from ABVP stated, “I am ashamed that our university has such professors. We, from ABVP, would lay our lives for the dignity of our sisters. We want the immediate arrest of this professor. We cannot allow such immoral activities to continue on campus.”

Students have expressed deep distress and said that such incidents are damaging the reputation and safety of the university. One student informed that the protest will continue on Monday outside the university gate as well, with more students expected to join.

It is important to note that this is not an isolated incident. Recently, a case came to light from the Law Department, where a minor girl was allegedly violated by a Lower Divisional Clerk, Fakhrul Ahmed. With multiple such cases reported over the years, both students and locals have raised concerns about safety and accountability on campus. Assam University was established after years of struggle, but its true identity is now being overshadowed by recurring allegations of misconduct and failure to protect its students.