Following contents of an email sent to him by a woman research scholar going viral, Professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Atul K Johri said his character is being assassinated because he stood in favour of compulsory attendance.
"My character is being assassinated only because I asked for the compliance of attendance rule," said Prof Johri of School of life Sciences, JNU. In the email, the woman scholar accused him of being "characterless" and "without manners".
The matter came to light after the screen shots of the email sent by 26-year-old woman scholar, who had gone missing on March 11, started making rounds on social media platforms particularly twitter and WhatsApp much to Johri's embarrassment in the academic community.
Johri said the girl remained frequently absent in February though she was present in January. "She told me in the second week of February that she is going to her brother’s marriage and even invited me to come. However, she didn't return even after three weeks then I wrote an email to all," said Johri.
Johri said the girl's email came after he sent a "common email" to all the nine research scholars — including 7 women — under him on February 27 on attendance issue in which he personally took account of the lapses on the part of each individual researcher in marking attendance. He also showed this email to The Pioneer revealing the content sent to nine scholars.
"Most of the time you are absent. Please find another lab, it is very difficult to finish PhD on time otherwise, you have already crossed 30 days leave," writes the Prof in the email to the girl who put forth the allegation afterwards.
In almost similar instructions to rest of the students in the same email, Johri allegedly in his bid to make sure that the researchers should be punctual in marking their attendance admits using little 'deterrence'.
likewise, "you are always late (first warning to you) or find another lab for research, be regular. Try to take care of lab. I have instructed you to look for GeM, you have not done anything except one emailIJ" said Johri in the same email to another student.
Johri, who remained on the forefront among the group of teachers in the JNU supporting the compulsory attendance in classes, alleged that his name is being maligned by hatching a conspiracy against him so as to subdue his voice in favour of compulsory attendance.
"It is very unfortunate that one of my own students has fallen prey to their nefarious designs and is being used as a tool by those who want to subdue our view. Who will dare to support compulsory attendance after such things will happen," said Johri.
JNU Students' Union (JNUSU) expressed concern on the incident and issued a statement saying, "The professor in question is not someone without controversy. We demand that suo-moto cognizance be taken of the matter and an enquiry should be held."
Former Vice-President of the JNUSU Shehla Rashid Shora, took to twitter "Girls of School of life Sciences held Press conference against Prof Atul Johri. Girls on campus are coming out with their own stories of harassment, post demolition of GSCASH. Request friends from media not to black this out, as JNU Admin is trying to suppress it."