Unveiling Injustice: HHRC Directs Action Against Principal in Alleged False Sexual Harassment Accusation
GHRTV
03-10-2023
Alexandra Posta
East and South Asia Human Rights Researcher
Global Human Rights Defence
In a recent development, the Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) has issued a directive to the Director of Higher Education (DHE) to take decisive action against the principal of NRS Government College, Rohtak. This decision follows the principal's failure to address a serious complaint wherein a teacher falsely accused a college clerk, Vinod Sharma, of sexual harassment.
The incident dates back over two years when a teacher lodged a sexual harassment complaint against the college clerk. Despite a thorough inquiry that found no substantiation of the allegations, the matter resurfaced in April 2022. This time, the clerk filed a complaint against the same teacher, citing mental and social harassment on various grounds. Disturbingly, the clerk asserts that the college authorities failed to take definitive action against the accused teacher, prompting him to seek redress from the Haryana Human Rights Commission.
The HHRC, recognizing the gravity of the allegations and the apparent negligence of the college administration, has not only directed the DHE to initiate stern action against the principal but has also mandated the formation of a committee to probe the complainant's assertions within a month. The commission's scrutiny raises poignant questions about the adherence to human rights standards within the educational institution.
In its orders, the HHRC underscored concerns about the principal's seeming unwillingness to cooperate and questioned their competency to navigate legal proceedings. The observation that an official in such a critical position should be well-versed in assisting the commission or a court during proceedings adds an extra layer of concern. The HHRC's intervention becomes emblematic of the broader issue at hand — the need for educational institutions to uphold human rights principles, particularly in cases of alleged harassment.
As we await the outcome of the committee's inquiry, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the imperative to foster a culture of accountability and transparency within educational institutions. The allegations and subsequent actions, or lack thereof, cast a shadow on the human rights climate within NRS Government College, Rohtak. The HHRC's directive is not just a call for justice in this specific case but a rallying cry for institutions to introspect and ensure they remain bastions of human rights, safeguarding the dignity and well-being of all their constituents. In the pursuit of academic excellence, the foundation must be built on principles that respect and uphold the fundamental rights of every individual.
SOURCE
The Tribune. (3 October 2023). Human rights panel orders action against Rohtak college principal. Available at https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/human-rights-panel-orders-action-against-college-principal-549933.
