This article was first published in the print edition of Manushi Journal. (Issue-69, Mar-Apr 1992)
In the last issue of Manushi (No. 68) we reported serious allegations of sexual harassment against the Head, Department of Adult Continuing Education and Extension (DACEE), Delhi University, Dr S.C. Bhatia. Since then, in the last week of March the DACEE staff went on a relay hunger strike to protest against the non payment of their salaries as well as against the University’s inaction concerning their charges of sexual harassment against Dr S.C. Bhatia. Delhi University Teacher’s Association (DUTA) also joined with the DACEE union in demanding action against Dr Bhatia on the basis of the charges made
against him.
On March 26,1992, in a meeting of the Academic Council, the Vice Chancellor, Upendra Baxi, told those present that Dr Bhatia would be asked to go on leave and would also be removed as Head of DACEE, while retaining his position as Director. On learning of these developments, we assumed that Delhi University was beginning to take the necessary steps in this case. However, a few weeks later, Professor Shukla of Delhi University’s Faculty of Education phoned to say that he was disturbed to find Dr Bhatia in attendance at a meeting of the Board of Research Studies in Social Sciences on April 9 and April 10,1992. Professor Shukla subsequently wrote a letter to the University protesting that: “if the University has sent him [Dr Bhatia] on leave, as a matter of decency and discipline and out of legitimate concern for the dignity of its women members, and, indeed, its own, it is not permissible for Professor Bhatia to be participating in meetings.”…