Accused of sexual harassment, BHU prof returns to campus, sparks protest
Lucknow, Sept 15 (IBNS): A large group of students are protesting at the Benaras Hindu University (BHU) campus since Saturday night after a professor, who was suspended last year on sexual harassment charges, was back to take classes.
Last year, Professor SK Chaubey of the Zoology Department was accused of passing making obscene gestures at girl students during a study tour to Odisha in October.
The professor was first suspended and an inquiry was initiated against him in June this year.
However, after the probe, the decision-making body revoked his suspension.
Since the time, he returned at the campus to take classes, students resorted to protest against Chaubey.
The university administration has met with the protesting students to pacify them. They have also informed the protesting students that his action would go into his service record and that he was censored.
"He (Chaubey) was suspended till the time the inquiry report came. The highest decision-making body decided to give him the harshest punishment. The Chief Proctor, Deputy Chief Proctor and the Registrar have spoken with the students. They asked the students to discuss their issues with them," BHU professor and spokesperson Rajesh Singh told reporters.
"The students should stop their protest. This decision (to reinstate the professor) was taken on June 7. It's September now. I request them to tell us anything they want, but not protest in this way," Singh said.
However, the protesters said they are not satisfied by the action of the university and will keep agitating unless an FIR is lodged against him.
They also want the professor to be sacked.
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