Human Resources Development Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao and the policemen accompanying him were caught unaware when the PG students of Sanskrit Department of Andhra University staged a demonstration before his convoy demanding immediate dismissal and arrest of their Head of Department K. Yedukondalu for subjecting them to sexual harassment on Tuesday.
The Minister, who was returning after attending the inaugural of third edition of A.P. Science Congress, got down from his car and promised the agitated students that Prof. Yedukondalu would be stripped of from the HoD post and an independent committee would probe into the allegations.
Even as the students raised slogans waving placards demanding dismissal of Prof. Yedukondalu, the Minister said stringent action would be initiated if the professor was found guilty. He also directed the AU administration expedite the probe and submit a report to him at the shortest possible time.
The students, including all the eight girls from Sanskrit Department, alleged that the professor had been seeking sexual favours from them. “When we refused he also went to the extent of denying hall-tickets on time to write the semester under the plea that we are falling short of attendance,” a student told The Hindu seeking anonymity.
Several students from other departments also joined the protest to express their solidarity.
The students narrated how the same professor was punished in 2014 over sexual harassment charges. “We will write the exam and attend classes only when he is removed from the department as we don’t feel safe in his presence,” a student pointed out.
The Minister later told reporters that they would not spare anyone who indulged in sexual harassment of any kind.
He said they would take a series of measures to improve study atmosphere on the campus.
