In connection with the sexual harassment episode at the prestigious Institute of Rural Management, Anand (IRMA) campus, the board of governors of the educational institute on Tuesday sent its director RC Natarajan on forced leave.
A senior staff member of IRMA had filed a police case against Natarajan for harassing her sexually. The decision was taken at a special meeting of the IRMA board of governors called to discuss issues relating to the incident of sexual harassment filed against the director.
The board appointed Dr Rakesh Saxena as director in-charge in place of Natarajan, who has been sent on leave for 100 days or till the receipt of the inquiry report of the district’s local complaint committee before which the complainant has filed a criminal case.”
The Board unequivocally reiterated its commitment to upholding ethical values of IRMA and its tradition of excellence. The Board emphasised the need to adhere to gender equality and sensitivity, ethical behavior in and off campus, pursuit of academic excellence and commitment to rural poor,” said a statement issued after the board meeting.
IRMA is one institution which had a lady director for five years, said that written statement adding that the Board is clearly of the view that there is no space for any inappropriate behaviour on the part of any officer, staff, faculty and students. It further said that the institute was committed to keep it as a safe place to work, learn and innovate.