Delhi college V-P faces sexual charges

Delhi college V-P faces sexual charges

Sonia Sarkar

The Times of India

26 Oct 2007

NEW DELHI: Barely a month after Bidyut Chakraborty was asked to step down as the head of department of political science, Delhi University has found itself embroiled in yet another sexual harassment controversy.

This time, the vice-principal of Ramjas College, B N Ray, is in the eye of a storm. On Thursday, at least a dozen male students spoke up against him before a packed college auditorium at the general body meeting, alleging that Ray has been seeking sexual favours from them and was blackmailing students if they refused to give in.

Over 700 teachers and students listened, as the "victims" recounted how they were being allegedly harassed by Ray who teaches political science. The angry students did not stop at that. They gheraoed the principal and shouted slogans, seeking Ray's immediate suspension, and burnt the vice-principal's effigy as well. The protests, which began around 11 am, continued for over three hours.

The students later submitted a collective complaint - in the form of a resolution - to the principal, Rajendra Prasad, who set up a central complaints committee (CCC) to look into the matter.

The protesters alleged that similar charges had been levelled against Ray earlier but no action was taken. The principal, however, denied this.

"I have never received any such complaint against Ray before. This was the first time that students approached me with such a complaint, which will be probed by the CCC, whose meeting is scheduled for Monday. As a principal, I don't have the powers to suspend him (Ray). It is under the purview of the governing body and university's vice-chancellor," said Prasad.

But a young lecturer, who was present at the meeting, alleged that this was not the first time that Ray had been accused of sexual harassment.

Rebutting all the charges, Ray said: "One of the complainants has recently migrated to our college and took my help in the admission process. He even visited my home during Durga Puja last week. I am surprised that students have posted such allegations against me. My conscience is clear and truth will prevail." Ray has been teaching in Ramjas for the past 34 years and is a father of two children.

Speaking to TOI, one of the victims, a third-year student of political science, alleged that he was molested in a hospital last year, where he had gone to visit Ray after he suffered a heart attack.

"Ray told me to lie down beside him and I obeyed, as he threatened to ruin my career," he said. "Some months later, Ray called me to his house in Model Town, where he again asked for sexual favours. This time, I protested and left his house immediately. I never had the courage to complain, till recently when I came to know that many students have gone through a similar experience and many more were being victimised even now. All of us gathered strength and approached our teachers and conducted this general body meeting on Thursday," he added.

Another victim, a second-year student of history, alleged that Ray has been calling him over to his college quarters, where he shifted recently.

"He has been asking me to visit his home every evening on the pretext of giving some notes. When I refused, he said he can influence my internal assessment marks, so I gave in unwillingly. He has often sought sexual favours from me."

These two students, and two more, have lodged a complaint with the college's gender forum as well. The resolution passed by students and teachers at Thursday's meeting read: "Ray has violated all norms of decency...and blatantly misused his power and status...he has brought disrepute to the profession and the department...There have been proven charges against the accused of sexual assault and abuse of students, both inter- and intra-department."

Students have also accused Ray of being involved in financial irregularities and indulging in favouritism during admission. Ray has been the convener of admissions for the past few years.