JNU student alleges language harassment
Fresh allegations of academic misconduct have emerged at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) after the Progressive Democratic Students Union (PDSU) accused an assistant professor at the Centre for Japanese Studies of harassing a non-Hindi-speaking student through "linguistic discrimination and public humiliation".
The student body has demanded an impartial inquiry by the university administration, alleging that the faculty member, created a "suffocating environment" that violated JNU's code of conduct and pedagogical standards.
According to a detailed statement issued by the PDSU, the assistant professor pressurised a female student from South India to speak and write in Hindi during classes, despite her not being a Hindi speaker. The organisation claimed that the professor mocked her accent and encouraged other students to laugh at her, causing severe mental and emotional distress.
"The student was made to repeat in class -- 'I will try my best to study Hindi' -- and was frequently asked to write, read or translate complex Hindi and Sanskrit words, phrases and verses," the PDSU said, adding that the student has since suffered anxiety, nausea and panic attacks.
The student body further alleged that on September 1, the student returned to class after a period of illness but left midway following what it described as "intense interrogation" and pressure from the professor.
Following the incident, classes were reportedly suspended, and the professor allegedly refused to accept two letters from students requesting the resumption of teaching.
The PDSU also accused the faculty member of causing "excessive delays" in classes and examinations. In one instance, an exam scheduled for 11 am was allegedly delayed by nearly four hours without any prior notification, during which students -- including one who had just been discharged from hospital and another who had travelled long distances while recovering from illness -- were left waiting.
The student organisation also raised concerns over what it termed "highly insensitive humour," alleging that the professor made jokes about serious events such as the "2025 Red Fort car blast" and inquired about students' socio-economic backgrounds by asking for their full names, including surnames.
In response to the allegations, the PDSU has called for a secure mechanism for students to lodge complaints and urged all student organisations to unite against what it described as "rampant academic harassment."
No immediate response was available from the JNU administration.
The allegations come at a time when the university is already grappling with another controversy, with several students having recently accused a different professor of sexual harassment, prompting an inquiry by the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC).