JNU professor faces complaint from 11 students over alleged inappropriate remarks during viva

 

A sexual harassment complaint filed by 11 students has prompted an inquiry at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), after a professor was accused of making inappropriate and sexually suggestive remarks during viva examinations held in May.

The university’s Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) has begun examining the allegations and has started recording statements from the students who filed the complaint. The proceedings began after the complaint was formally submitted in May, according to an official familiar with the matter.

The allegations reportedly came to light after the viva examinations held during the first week of May. According to the complainants, the professor allegedly made remarks with sexual connotations during the examinations.

The issue initially surfaced in an unofficial WhatsApp group in the second week of May, when one student shared her experience with other students. Her account reportedly encouraged several others to speak about similar experiences, eventually leading to a formal complaint before the ICC.

One of the allegations made by a complainant was that the professor suggested students could receive additional marks if they accepted his alleged sexual advances. The allegation is part of the complaint being examined by the university’s internal mechanism.

The timing of the inquiry was also affected by the university's semester break. Students were away for roughly 45 days, but discussions surrounding the allegations reportedly resumed after classes restarted in mid-July. The ICC subsequently called the complainants to record their statements as part of the proceedings.

The professor has been given an opportunity to respond to the allegations. However, according to the report, attempts to obtain his response were unsuccessful at the time of publication.

The complaint has drawn attention to the importance of mechanisms such as the ICC in educational institutions, particularly when allegations involve a significant power imbalance between teachers and students. Viva examinations can directly influence academic outcomes, making concerns about inappropriate conduct during such assessments particularly sensitive.

The latest complaint also comes against the backdrop of an earlier sexual harassment case involving a senior faculty member at the university.

For the students involved, the formal complaint represents a move from private conversations among peers to an institutional process. The ICC's proceedings are expected to examine the allegations, record the statements of those involved and consider the evidence before reaching any conclusion.

At this stage, the allegations remain under investigation, and the professor has not publicly responded to the accusations. The outcome of the ICC proceedings will determine what further action, if any, is warranted.