Shimla, Dec 14,
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi is grappling with another sexual harassment complaint, this time lodged by a student against a faculty member. The accused professor was immediately suspended following the complaint, and the matter referred to the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC).
This incident marks the second such case in recent years, raising concerns about the effectiveness of measures to prevent and address sexual harassment within the institution.
In a previous case, an ICC inquiry substantiated allegations against a faculty member, leading to their compulsory retirement. However, this decision is currently under appeal.
In a media statement IIT Mandi stated that the institution is deeply committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and respecttul environment for all members of our campus community. “We have a zero-tolerance policy to any such inidents and thus recent allegations harassment against a faculty member have been taken very seriously,” they stated. Adding, “We are addressing the matter with urgency and diligence. The professor in question has been removed from services with immediate effect. To reinforce our zero-tolerance policy against harassment, we are implementing the following measures, they claimed. “We have been organizing mandatory gender sensitization and anti-harassment training across the campus which we will further regularize and we are working further to strengthen campus security and accessibility to reporting mechanisms so these incidents don’t happen in future, ” they added.
The lack of police involvement in both cases has drawn criticism, with observers emphasizing the need for stricter measures and legal accountability. Critics argue that internal investigations may not always be sufficient to ensure justice and deter future occurrences.
The IIT Mandi administration has reiterated its “zero-tolerance policy” towards sexual harassment. However, the recurrence of such incidents raises questions about the adequacy of existing protocols and the need for a more robust system to safeguard the safety and well-being of students.
