Aligarh Muslim University: A case has come to light from the country’s prestigious central university, Aligarh Muslim University, which has raised serious questions on equality and secular values in educational institutions.
Rachna Kaushal, senior professor of the Department of Political Science, has made sensational allegations against the administration and said that she has been facing continuous harassment for the last 27 years just because of her religious identity.
The victim informed the chairperson of her department, Prof. Mohammad Nafees Ansari and Dean Prof. A direct front has been opened against Ikram Hussain. Professor Rachna Kaushal, in her written complaint to the Vice Chancellor, has made very serious allegations against the Dean of making communal comments, misusing his position and creating a hostile environment against her.
Audio recording handed over to Vice Chancellor
To prove her plight, Rachna Kaushal not only made verbal allegations, but also submitted audio recording and transcript to the Vice Chancellor as evidence. They have demanded that the Dean be removed from the post to maintain impartiality till the investigation is completed.
‘You are a Hindu, go to BHU’
Professor Rachna Kaushal has clearly said that the head of the department and the dean told her, ‘You are a Hindu, go to BHU.’ Rachna described it as against the Constitution and the secular tradition of the university. The video of his statement has also surfaced.
‘Harassment started with appointment’
Professor Rachna alleges that the process of mental harassment started after her appointment at Aligarh Muslim University in 1998. Due to this she had to suffer a miscarriage in 2006. Not only this, his promotion was deliberately stopped for years, due to which he had to go to the High Court. They got their rights only after the intervention of the court.
The female professor has warned that if the university administration does not provide her justice soon, she will complain to the police. On the other hand, HOD Professor Ansari has completely rejected all the allegations, termed them baseless and said that he will present his views before the Vice-Chancellor. At present, the reaction of AMU administration on this serious matter is awaited.