he sexual harassment case in which a woman contract lecturer accused Vaman Naik, the principal of SS Dempo College of Commerce and Economics, has taken the college authorities by storm.
Vaman Naik, principal of SS Dempo College of Commerce and Economics, is accused of sexually harassing a woman lecturer in Goa
PANAJI: The sexual harassment case in which a woman contract lecturer accused Vaman Naik, the principal of SS Dempo College of Commerce and Economics, has taken the college authorities by storm. While a section of the faculty and students have rooted for the lecturer, another group has thrown its weight behind the principal.
While those damning the indecent behaviour have demanded for Naik’s suspension, the college authorities have stood against it.
“All relevant documents pertaining to the case are with the college management at its head office. Hence there’s no chance of tampering of evidence by the principal,” said Sunil Prabhudesai, secretary, governing body of the college. The other reason cited for not acting against the principal is that the complainant is no longer in service of the college at the moment. However, the governing body has appointed an officer to conduct a thorough inquiry into the case.
The lecturer, who taught accountancy in the college, is eight months pregnant. She had written to the Dempo Charities Trust on April 5 alleging that she had been sexually harassed by Naik. Among other things she cited were Naik’s comments on her personal appearance, her sexual life (even that she abort her child) over a one-year period. On April 17, 11 faculty members buttressed her charge saying that she had kept them in the loop about Naik’s alleged harassment.
According to Naik, the lecturer made the allegations five days after her services were terminated and, therefore, her charges are trumped up. However, professor Pravin Gaonkar, the vice-principal, who has come out openly in support of the lecturer, said: “Let the management form a committee to examine the complaint. The principal should be asked to take leave or be suspended during this period.”
Although Gaonkar promised that students won’t be involved in the case, the latter have come out in huge numbers both pro and anti-Naik.
Amar Albuquerque, a student council member, said: “Students have been contacted by teachers to take sides. Why are they being brought into this?” While some former students have extended support to the principal, others want him to step down pending an inquiry.
Gaonkar has been accused of trying to sully Naik because he wants to be the principal. “I am not eligible for the post, as I do not have a Ph.d,” said an offended Gaunkar. According to management sources, the faculty was unhappy with Naik’s “strict ways” and made it a weapon to settle scores with him.
Goa State Commission for Women chairperson, Dr Pramod D Salgaocar told DNA she has met both the victim and the principal and has advised the latter to go on leave. Though this is not the first case of sexual harassment that the commission has come across, this is the first time that a reputed educational institution is involved in such a case, she said.
“The Dempo college does not have a proper cell to deal with such a complaint,” she added.
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