The Mothers’ Union (MU) of Tura have hit out at the administration of the College of Community Science (CCS) under CAU in Tura for what they alleged was continued harassment of employees that complained of sexual harassment and exploitation at the workplace against the dean in charge – Pushpita Das.
In July, two employees of the CCS filed a police complaint against the Dean after they were allegedly made to give full body massages to her as well as serve as her personal servants – something that is not in the job that they are supposed to do. The complainants also informed the MU through a written letter on the matter following which the NGO has been helping the two in their quest for justice.
Speaking to media persons today, the MU have questioned the motive of the departmental investigation committee from the which despite being powerless to conduct an investigation, has been summoning the victim, mostly the security guard, for questioning.
Initially the investigation of the case was supposed to be taken on by the Internal Complaints Committee of the CAU but due to the Dean in charge was the respondent in the case, the MU pushed for a Local Complaints Committee (LCC) into taking up the investigation to ensure impartiality.
Currently the investigation into the case is now being handled by the LCC.
The MU said that despite the LCC asking for the two employees to be allowed to work without further harassment at the work place, the situation remains caustic for both of them.
“As the respondent in this case is the Dean of the college, we have pointed out that the investigation cannot be carried out by the ICC. This led to the investigation being handed over to the LCC which still has time to complete the investigation and hand over their findings,” said president Balsa B Sangma.
What has irked the MU has been the total disregard by those in the central university to the legal process of investigation.
“They have summoned both the victims and instead of seeking to know the truth have asked them to withdraw the complaint for the sake of the image of the CCU. What kind of an investigative committee pressures victims to do so? They are not even allowed to investigate so why are they questioning,” she questioned.
The security guard, who has had to bear the brunt of the pressure due to her job nature has refused to back down due to which she has been denied her salary ever since the month of July when the police complaint was made. She has also been disallowed leaves due to her by the agency that has hired her – something that is against the set laws in place.
“What is even more irksome is the fact that two days ago, the registrar of the university, through a letter, has asked the Dean to submit a mental disturbance certificate of the two complaining employees. This is absolutely condemnable. What authority does the dean have in certifying anyone mentally fit or not? The registrar seems to be in cahoots with the respondent and this act cannot be condoned,” added secretary of MU, Sume B Sangma.
The use of the term ‘disturbance’ instead of ‘health’ has, as per the MU, made things extremely clear as to what is being propounded.
The MU had earlier approached the DC on the matter of harassment of the employee though nothing much came of the approach as the matter was under investigation. Further even warning from the LCC on the issue has not deterred the CAU departmental inquiry team and its members from making life difficult for the employees.
If sources are to be believed, the dean in charge, is yet to appear before the LCC to give her version of events or answer questions till the filing of this report.
“The LCC is equivalent to a trial Court and as such the ICC stands in contempt of its order. This interference is not healthy and the truth needs to come out,” added Sume.
