Srinagar, May 7 (JKNS): Authorities at Amar Singh College Srinagar on Wednesday disassociated the Head of Department (HoD) of Media Studies from all academic affairs after students staged a protest over alleged harassment of a female student inside the college campus.
As per news agency JKNS, the protest erupted during the afternoon session when students of the Department of Media Studies assembled within the college premises and raised allegations of harassment against the HoD of the department.
Following the protest, top officials of the Higher Education Department and college administration took immediate cognizance of the matter. In an official order issued by the Principal of Amar Singh College Srinagar, Dr Parvaiz Ahmad Lone, HoD, Department of Media Studies, was disassociated from all academic affairs of the department with immediate effect pending the outcome of the inquiry.
The order further stated that the Proctorial Board has been entrusted with conducting a transparent and time-bound inquiry into the allegations and has been directed to submit its report within two days.
“In response to the demonstration held by the students of the college regarding the alleged harassment of a female student, Dr Parvaiz Ahmad Lone, HoD, Department of Media Studies, is disassociated from all academic affairs of the department with immediate effect, pending the outcome of the inquiry,” the order reads.
The administration also assigned Prof Nusrat Sayed to look after the affairs of the Department of Media Studies till completion of the investigation.
Speaking to media persons, Principal Amar Singh College Prof Aijaz Hakak said the issue surfaced during normal class work when students gathered and started demonstrating over allegations raised by a female student.
“We immediately took strong cognizance of the matter. A committee of the college will investigate the allegations and a fact-based report will be submitted to the Higher Education Department,” he said.
The Principal said immediate action was taken by the college administration to address students’ concerns and pacify the situation on the campus.
He further stated that the allegations are presently at a preliminary stage and that the administration has so far recorded the concerns raised by students, while the inquiry committee will examine all aspects of the case before submitting its findings.
Prof Hakak clarified that students had not earlier brought the matter formally to the notice of the college administration. “Today the issue was raised and immediately taken into cognizance by the college authorities,” he said.
He said there was no law and order issue on the campus and that academic activities would continue normally. He also reiterated that the college already has multiple committees, including the Proctorial Board, Disciplinary Committee, and Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), to address issues related to harassment and student welfare.
The Principal assured students and parents that the college administration maintains a zero-tolerance approach towards any form of harassment and strict action will be taken if allegations are substantiated during the inquiry. (JKNS)
