Have full faith in Thampu: St Stephen's Supreme Council

 As the demand for St Stephen’s Principal Valson Thampu’s resignation over an alleged molestation row grew shriller, the college’s Supreme Council on Wednesday came out in his support saying it has “full faith” in his leadership.The council which is the supreme decision making body of the college, passed a resolution saying it places on record its “full faith and confidence in the leadership of the present principal and affirm full support to him in administration of the college”.

Chairman of the college Reverend Warris K Masih, said, “At an emergent meeting of the Supreme Council, the issues facing the college in wake of alleged sexual harassment case involving one of the faculty members, were discussed. Members expressed their concern about attempts to denigrate the institution in the eye of public through false propaganda.”

Thampu is at the centre of controversy over a sexual harassment row which is rocking the college these days. A research scholar has alleged she was molested by an assistant professor and that the principal had tried to shield him.While Thampu has claimed that he is being “chased as an animal” over the issue despite doing his best in the capacity of principal, a section of students, teachers, alumni and several women right organisations have been demanding his removal.

The resolution passed by the Supreme Council read, “There has been a motivated campaign against our reputed institution and its principal in the media at instance of some vested interests.”“The media reports have tendency to surface around the dates of hearing of court against college. This shows the motive behind the same. Even the reports about court proceedings concerning the college are unfair and inaccurate,” it said.

“Since allegations made against the college would affect its reputation, we strongly regret the media trial and request the media to act objectively,” the resolution added.The Council also “congratulated” Thampu for his untiming efforts in running the institution.

Thampu, who has been embroiled in controversies ever since he took over as the college principal in 2008, had earlier this week said that he would resign if “it is objectively proved that he is an embarrassment to the institution”.

Social activist Swami Agnivesh and members of Delhi Minorities Association including former chairman Kamaal Farooqi had yesterday came out in his support saying a “mala fide campaign” is run against him and efforts are being made to influence the course of law.The Old Stephanians’ Association, which Thampu has alleged, is party to the campaign being run against him, today reiterated its demand for the Principal’s sacking.

“We have seen a pattern with Thampu. Whenever he is under flack or pressure for his illegalities and misdemeanors, he raises the bogey of minority institution. The minority status does not entitle the management to indulge in blatant maladministration and mismanagement,” the alumni body, which is not recognised by the college, said in a statement.