Sexist post by JU professor: NCW begins probe, team visits university

JU professor Kanak Sarkar. (Photo: Facebook)


Representatives of the National Women’s Commission visited Jadavpur University on Thursday regarding the JU Professor Kanak Sarkar case and collected some documents from the campus for inquiry.

Om Prakash Mishra, head of department of the International Relations department, said, “The experts of the National Women’s Commission visited the campus today and collected some documents for investigation. The chairperson of the commission is in Kolkata but the Vice-Chancellor is out of the city for some work so she might be visiting the campus when the VC returns.”

JU Professor Kanak Sarkar, who allegedly made objectionable, misogynistic and sexist comments on women in a Facebook post on Sunday, has been suspended from taking classes and barred from entering the campus from Wednesday.

READ | JU professor Kanak Sarkar’s FB post : Bengal govt seeks report from university

On 16 January, the International Relations department had a meeting attended by five faculty members and some students, where it was decided that Mr Sarkar is to be relieved from his teaching duties with immediate effect. Substitute arrangements would be decided in the meeting of the board of studies scheduled on 18 January. In the meeting, it was also decided that an internal inquiry committee will be formed. Two representations have been sent to the vice-chancellor. The student teacher committee of the
department wants strict action against him.

Suranjan Das, Vice-Chancellor of JU, earlier said: “This is a deplorable thing. It is beyond my imagination of how any educated person can make a comment like this. This has not only destroyed his reputation but the university’s reputation has also been destroyed. Action will be taken against him according to law.”

The State Commission for Women has taken this up as a suo motu case. The state government has also sought a detailed report from the university authorities.