Delhi Health Minister Urges Action Against Professor for Student Harassment

New Delhi, March 20 - In a significant development, Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj has called upon Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena to implement stringent measures against an assistant professor from a state-operated medical college, accused of sexually harassing two female students. The minister's request was articulated in a detailed communication addressed to the LG, highlighting a concerning attempt by Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar to shield the accused individual.

The controversy centers around distressing allegations made by two medical students against an assistant professor in the pharmacology department of a Delhi government hospital on January 31. Bharadwaj expressed his frustration over the delay in bringing this matter to his attention, despite his clear instructions for immediate reporting of such incidents. The health secretary's inaction has been noted with concern.

Further complicating the matter, Bharadwaj revealed that he was made aware of the incident only through social media platforms on Monday. He had previously issued a directive on March 18 to the chief secretary, demanding the suspension of the accused assistant professor and the initiation of disciplinary actions against him. The health minister's directive also included a call for the transfer of both the director principal of the medical college and the head of the pharmacology department.

In his plea to the LG, Bharadwaj pointed out that an FIR regarding the case was lodged belatedly on February 22. He criticized this delay and highlighted that during this period, there was undue pressure on the students to retract their complaints. The minister accused the chief secretary of failing to instruct the health department to hasten their response to these serious allegations.

Bharadwaj's communication also included a strong recommendation for the removal of the director principal, accusing them of failing to support the students during this ordeal. This move underscores the minister's commitment to ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all students within educational institutions under his jurisdiction.

The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the mechanisms in place for reporting and addressing sexual harassment within educational settings. It emphasizes the need for prompt and decisive action to protect students and uphold a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of harassment or misconduct.