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University sexual abuse raises a stink in Bangalore

Chief minister BS Yeddyurappa said that he had directed the chief secretary to conduct a special probe into accusation of a research scholar at the Zoology department of Mysore University, that her professor and guide, Shivabasavaiah, had been harassing her sexually.

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Chief minister BS Yeddyurappa said on Monday that he had directed the chief secretary to conduct a special probe into accusation of a research scholar at the Zoology department of Mysore University, that her professor and guide, Shivabasavaiah, had been harassing her sexually.

The student, M Saritha, attempted suicide on Saturday night as her complaints fell on deaf ears. Saritha’s husband rushed her to a hospital and she was saved in the nick of time. The accused professor has been absconding.

“I have sought an explanation from the vice-chancellor of Mysore University, Prof VG Talwar. Severe action will be taken against the professor if he is found guilty. The chief secretary will submit a report soon and action will be taken,” chief minister BS Yeddyurappa said.

Women members in the legislative council too highlighted the case, adding that it was a shame that as the 100th International Women’s Day is celebrated on Tuesday, such incidents should surface. The leader of the house and the minister for higher education, VS Acharya, said strict legal action would be taken against the culprit.

Minister in charge of Mysore district, SA Ramdas, said that he had discussed the matter with the husband of the victim and visited the research scholar in hospital. “A complaint has been registered by the Vijayanagar police station in Mysore against the accused professor and the vice-chancellor of Mysore University,” he said.

JD(S) leader MC Nanaiah raised the issue in the legislative council during zero hour and said that such professors ought to be kicked out. “Such professors are terrorists to the students,” the JD(S) leader said.

Deputy chairman of the legislative council Vimala Gowda said that the state government should nab the accused professor, who is absconding and book criminal cases against him. “I got to know that even the vice-chancellor was not ready to initiate action against the accused. He reportedly asked the victim to change her guide, instead. Action should be taken against the VC also,” she said.

‘Chop off professor’s hands’
Enraged by the report of sexual harassment at Mysore University, Bharati Shetty, member of the legislative council, said that the hands of the accused professor ought to be chopped off. “Only then it would be a lesson to others,” she said.

Mysore police register case
Vijayanagar police of Mysore city have registered a case of sexual harassment and abetment of suicide against the Mysore University vice-chancellor VG Talwar and the head of post-graduate studies in Zoology at the university, Shivabasavaiah.

The victim,  Saritha, consumed sleeping pills on Saturday night. Her husband Vijayakumar found her unconscious and rushed her to BM Hospital near the university.

She regained consciousness on Sunday night, and in a statement to police, said that her research guide had been harassing her. She alleged that her complaint to the vice-chancellor fell on deaf ears.

Students protest in Mysore
Students under the banner of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarti Parishad (ABVP) staged a protest at Manasagangotri, Mysore, and lamented that caste and gender-related discrimination continued on the campus of the state’s prestigious university.

The students said that as professors aligned with political leaders and formed rival groups, students were getting drawn into controversy.

Meanwhile, vice-chancellor of Mysore University, VG Talwar, called a press conference aimed at damage control.

He said that a memo had been issued to Shivabasavaiah, seeking an explanation, and that the case would be probed by the university’s inquiry committee.   

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