In February 2019, a group of students of Jamia Milia Islamia had accused the head of Department of Applied Art of sexual harassment. What began as an accusation soon spread to become a larger movement, after which the professor, Hafeez Ahmed, was sent on leave. Now, six months later, an internal inquiry committee has given him a clean chit, following which he has resumed his duty in the university.
The students had alleged that the professor had made remarks with sexual undertones. Following this, they had launched a larger level protest in which students were allegedly beaten up in front of the Vice Chancellor's office. Also, three students were suspended. This had also brought up a dialogue on the need of a democratically elected Internal Complaints Committee.
The students who are unhappy with the professor being back on duty say that in February, the administration had agreed to form an independent inquiry committee. "The committee on which the administration agreed had student representation, one outside member, one member of the DCW and two professors of whom at least one shall be a female member. It has not convened a single meeting and we are unsure which Committee gave clean chit to Hafeez Ahmed," asks Chandan Kumar, Secretary, AISA JMI.
"The committee's decision is unjust. The accused and the people who supposedly gave him the clean chit are part of the administration. So, how do they make sure that the students get justice," asks Chandan, who says that AISA and other political organisations are now trying their best to prove the allegations.
We have reached out to the university for their reaction.
