As the protests demanding his resignation over the molestation row grew stronger, St Stephen’s College Principal Valson Thampu appealed to all the concerned “elements” to avoid character assassination as the matter is sub-judice. He added that he was being “chased like an animal” in the case.
“I have done my best in the capacity of a Principal... But at the end of the day, I am a human. I have a wife and two daughters, who also live in the society. Since the matter is sub-judice I appeal to all the elements concerned that this constant character assassination of me as well as the college should be avoided,” he said.
Claiming that he is being dragged into the row which was supposed to be between the complainant and the accused, he said the Principal has become the “principal offender” in the case. Thampu said that his lawyer and former judge Manmohan Sarin had told him long ago that attempts were being made to trap him in this case and he should report the matter to Internal Complaints Committee (ICC).
Thampu has been claiming that the research scholar, who was allegedly molested by an assistant professor, was being used against him and was “coached to do a sting on him” by the “handlers” of the controversy.
Even as he alleged that the Association of Old Stephanians, an alumni group not recognised by the college, is one of the elements which are after him, he did not reveal the names of others saying “the obvious need not be stated”.
Reiterating his demand for a CBI enquiry into the issue, he said, “I want a comprehensive, unprejudiced enquiry to be conducted and the truth to be revealed. I also welcome the HRD Ministry and the UGC for their intervention into the proceedings of ICC.”
Meanwhile, coming out in support of Thampu, social activist Swami Agnivesh and members of Delhi Minorities’ Association said that a “mala fide campaign” is being run against him and efforts are being made to influence the course of law.
Agnivesh also said, “An entire lobby is working against him... The media trial of the issue is a wrong thing to be done. The matter is before court; let it be taken care of there.”
“Why (did people) stage protests and intrude into campus activitiesIJ Why should we be judges and advocates in the matterIJ Certain alumni are hounding him as hunting dogs. We should realise that individuals come and go but the reputation of college suffers,” he said.
Scores of students, teachers and women rights activists had on Monday staged a protest outside college demanding Thampu’s resignation for allegedly shielding the accused.
He had said that he would resign if “it is objectively proved that he is an embarrassment to the institution”. While an UGC official, who is in-charge of the enquiry, was believed to have been told by college authorities that lack of resources and cooperation from other members has led to a delay in the enquiry, Thampu said it should be reported to him about who from the college did not cooperate.
“If anyone from the college doesn’t cooperate, I have all the authority to force them to do so. I cannot, however, give a time-frame for the ICC probe to be completed,” he said.