News Patiala:- The Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in Ludhiana has suspended an assistant professor for sexually assaulting two female students, including a former student of the university.
Assistant Professor Dr. Yuvraj Singh Pandha was earlier in the Department of Entomology. He was recently transferred to the research center in Kapurthala after the sexual harassment case came to light.
The professor is accused of sending objectionable messages to female students and sexually assaulting them. After this, VC Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal suspended Dr. Yuvraj Singh Pandha with immediate effect and an investigation has started.
A week ago, some students of the university wrote a letter to Punjab Governor Banwari Lal Purohit exposing the sexual harassment of a female student, following which a high-level committee was formed by the university authorities.
The committee was chaired by Ravinder Kaur Dhaliwal, Dean of Agriculture College. In the preliminary investigation, the committee has found Dr. Yuvraj Singh Pandha guilty. A university official confirmed that the committee found that he had sent objectionable messages to the student, following which the professor was transferred to the PAU Research Station in Kapurthala.
After some time, the university authorities also received a complaint from an ex-student and after investigation, the authorities have suspended him and the matter is being thoroughly investigated by the committee.
The suspension of Dr. Yuvraj Singh Pandha is a welcome step by the PAU authorities. It sends a strong message that sexual harassment will not be tolerated in any form. The university must ensure that a fair and impartial investigation is conducted and that the professor is punished if found guilty.
The case of Dr. Yuvraj Singh Pandha is not an isolated incident. Sexual harassment is a serious problem in India, and it is often under-reported. It is important to speak out against sexual harassment and to hold perpetrators accountable.
If you have been sexually harassed, you are not alone. There are resources available to help you. You can contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit their website at https://www.rainn.org/.
