Symbiosis International (Deemed University) has placed a professor at its Nagpur campus on compulsory leave following allegations that he sent inappropriate messages to a former female student and encouraged her to adopt Islamic religious practices, news agency Press Trust of India reported, citing a senior university official.
The university has established a high-powered committee to investigate the allegations after protests by some right-wing organisations. It said further action would be decided once the committee submits its findings.
Sources said the professor had already tendered his resignation.
However, the former student, who left the institution six months ago, and her father have neither lodged a formal police complaint nor submitted evidence of the alleged messages, despite being asked to do so by Nagpur city police, officials told PTI.
A police official said the allegations involved sending objectionable messages and encouraging the student to follow Islamic practices. The claims could not be verified without a formal complaint or supporting evidence, the official added.
The controversy prompted protests by members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, who called for the professor’s removal and strict action against him.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Nityanand Jha said between 15 and 17 people representing various organisations assembled at the university campus around 11.30 am on Saturday. Police intervened and facilitated discussions between the protesters and university officials. A delegation subsequently met the university administration.
In a statement released on Sunday, the university said it had taken note of social media reports and the complaint before setting up the committee to examine the allegations. It reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the safety and dignity of students and staff.
A senior police official told PTI that the former student’s family had raised the matter with right-wing organisations but had not approached the police, despite being asked to do so on three occasions. Police enquiries established that the student had left the institution six months earlier.
