Rising Concerns Over Sexual Harassment at IIT Mandi: Need for Stronger Safeguards
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi finds itself under scrutiny once again following allegations of sexual harassment against a faculty member, reported by two female students. This incident has reignited concerns about the institution’s mechanisms for addressing such issues, particularly after a similar case led to the removal of another professor not long ago.
The two students reportedly filed a complaint with the institute’s authorities, which was subsequently referred to the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) for investigation. The ICC, chaired by a senior female faculty member, is tasked with examining such cases and ensuring justice.
Dr. Kumar Samabhav Pandey, Registrar of IIT Mandi, emphasized the institution’s strict stance on such matters. “We have a zero-tolerance policy for incidents of sexual harassment. The recent complaint, received about a month ago, has been taken very seriously and referred to the ICC. We are addressing the matter with urgency and diligence,” he stated.
Dr. Pandey further explained that based on the ICC’s findings, a detailed report will be submitted to the Board of Governors (BOG), the competent authority for taking disciplinary action against faculty members.
This case comes on the heels of a similar incident from about a year ago, where a professor was accused of sexual harassment by a female student. Following an ICC investigation, the BOG removed the professor from his position. However, the accused has since appealed the decision to the President of India, who serves as the appellate authority.
Reiterating the institute’s commitment to safety and inclusivity, Dr. Pandey remarked, “The professor involved in the earlier incident has been removed from service. IIT Mandi is deeply committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all members of its community.”
In addition to addressing these cases, the institute has introduced mandatory gender sensitization and anti-harassment training programs across the campus to prevent such incidents in the future. However, the recurrence of such complaints underscores the urgent need for more robust preventive measures and enforcement mechanisms.
