Six female students of HNB Garhwal Central University have accused one of the teachers who is also is a Judo instructor of sexual harassment. They have blamed Rajesh Nautiyal of inappropriate touch, using lewd language and providing Judo training to them in an inebriated state. These girls were getting training in Judo under the ‘women cell’ of the university.
It is learnt that when the girls had enough of the behaviour of Nautiyal they decided to expose him. On Friday, these girls accompanied by some members of student’s union met the Dean Student Welfare (DSW), JP Pachauri and lodged a written complaint against Nautiyal. In the complaint the girls narrated how the Judo instructor who also is a psychology teacher working on contract in the university harassed them from months.
The students said that during the recent Inter college championship of Judo held at Narsan Haridwar, Nauityal used to come in the room of girls during night many times on one or other pretext. They blamed him of making phone calls using obscene language. In the complaint the students have also accused Nautiyal of mental harassment as well. The judo trainer has allegedly put pressure on the students and demanded money.
Incidentally the head of the women cell Aanpurna Nautiyal is on a long leave as she is out of the country. It is learnt that the university officials are trying to soft peddle the issue on the plea that a decision on the issue would be taken by head of women cell. When contacted the Dean Student Welfare, Dr Pachauri told The Pioneer that the students had met him and lodged a complaint. He said that since the women cell is authorised to act on such complaints, the matter is forwarded to it. However when this correspondent said that the head of women cell would join duty after December 10 which means that the accused has ample time to put pressure on the girls to withdraw charges, Pachauri said that the matter would be put before the V-C on Tuesday.
The Student’s representative of the university Shivani has demanded immediate action against Nautiyal failing which the students would be forced to launch an agitation.