New Delhi, Feb 27: Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has allowed microbiology professor Atul Johri- facing charges of sexual harassment- to return to the university. The administration has given him access to his room and laboratory and also delegated his prior teaching responsibilities to him. The decision was taken by the Executive Council in its 278th meeting.
Johri was suspended after being accused of sexual harassment by eight women last year; he was given a clean chit by ICC
Eight women had accused Johri of sexual harassment last year in March. Based on the accusations, he was arrested but got bailed subsequently. He held the post of a professor at the university’s School of Life Sciences (SLS). Post the accusations, he stepped down from all his administrative posts but was present on campus.
The students at the university are very displeased with the decision to allow him back on duty. As per the statement made by SLS PhD scholar and student faculty committee member Preeti Umrao, the students would not make any attempt to stop the professor if he comes to the building. However, the students have decided at their general body meeting that if he enters the building, none of the students would be there. It would be on the administration to decide if they want to support the students or the professor.
However, Registrar Pramod Kumar said that the decision to allow him back has been taken after consultation with legal advisors. He has already been cleared by the ICC and the petition has been disposed of by the High Court. He also said that the students should not boycott him as he has been cleared by the ICC and the Court.
The high court had disposed the petition filed last year, the counter petition filed by students is to be heard on May 3rd
However JNU Student Union President N. Sai Balaji has pointed out the high court order stopping Johri from accessing his lab and academic spaces has not been vacated by the bench yet. He also said that they would legally challenge the university’s decision saying that bringing Johri back is not only illegal and against gender justice but it would create an atmosphere of intimidation and fear among female students.
