BHU students protesting against the reinstatement of a professor accused of sexually harassing women students, called off their agitation on Sunday, September 15, after authorities assured that the matter would be reviewed. The students were protesting since the previous evening, demanding that the professor be punished. 

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The matter would be reconsidered

After assurance from the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) Vice-Chancellor, that the issue of reinstating the professor will be looked into and referred back to the executive council for a review, the students called off their protest, according to a press release. "The complaint against Prof S K Chaube, Department of Zoology, by some students of the department were inquired into by the Complaints Committee. 

The report of the committee was considered by the executive council and punishment was imposed on him. "However, on the recommendation of the matter, it has been decided to refer it back again to the executive council for a review of its decision," the BHU release said. 

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'Chaube was suspended in October 2018'

'Till the time, the executive council reconsiders it, Prof S K Chaube is directed to proceed on long leave', it said. Chaube was suspended in October 2018, on the charges of sexual misconduct levelled by some students of his department. In June, the BHU executive council, the highest decision-making body of the varsity, revoked the suspension of Chaube, however, it censured and restricted him for taking academic classes.

Chaube returned to taking classes a few days ago, triggering protests, a student said. In order to ensure prevention of sexual harassment, the university has already circulated guidelines framed under the Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of Sexual Harassment of Women Employee and Students in Higher Educational Institutions Act, the release said. It will be re-circulated for displaying it on the notice board of each department, it said.

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Students protests on Saturday night demanding Chaube be suspended

The students had begun a protest on late Saturday night (September 14) demanding the suspension of the professor who allegedly made obscene remarks and vulgar comments during an academic trip to Odisha in October 2018. The students had filed a complaint against the professor to women’s grievance cell of the university and also submitted the complaint to Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the Executive Council, Rakesh Bhatnagar. The professor was expelled from the university but has been reinstated again after an eight-month suspension. 

The professor has now been censured and reinstated. The VC has said that strict punishment had been given to the accused professor which will impact his service record and he won’t be able to hold any administrative position in the future. He appended that the professor was suspended only till the completion of inquiry as a part of the procedure and the executive council has given him a setback by making the allegations a part of his service record further stating that he will not be allowed to conduct any educational tours in the future. 

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(Inputs from PTI)