Lengthy procedure and long processes taken to arrest the sexually harassing Professor Paul Chandramohan from February to July 2021! He has three suspensions from 1997 to 2021 to get arrested in 2021!
The sexual harassment cases of Rajagopal, Ebi George, Habeed Mohammed and Paul Chandramohan: These cases have been simultaneously appeared, circulated and dealt with in the print and electronic media, but, with a clear biased, one-sided and suppressing tactics. Rajagopal issue has been much-much publicized and the target “the PSBB,” than the predator-accused. The sexual harassment case of Habeed Mohammed has been hushed up within a week and none remembers or bothers about it. Perhaps, many do not know also, as they were made to know the PSBB and then Rajagopal. The Ebi George has been the lucky, chosen-one and privileged one in all aspects. Not even his face, photograph or any clear identify has been revealed in the media. It is shocking, appalling and disgusting to know that the predator-sex accused has been much protected and concealed than the victims. Even, the law and order enforcing authorities, the Child Welfare Committees, Women activist organizations and others have been pathetic in implementing legal action carrying out judicial processes. Is there any secular legalism, secular judicial process and secular court proceedings to do so? The secular Indians may have to wait and see.
The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad demonstrated against “Mr. Paul Chandra Mohan”: The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad on Tuesday (06-07-2021) staged a demonstration here on Tuesday urging the State government and the police to take action against C. J. Paul Chandra Mohan, Head of the Department of Tamil of Bishop Heber College in Tiruchi, who was suspended recently following a complaint of sexual harassment lodged against him by a group of female students to college authorities[1]. Holding placards and raising slogans, the ABVP members demanded the arrest of “Mr. Paul Chandra Mohan” and his dismissal from the college. They also demanded justice for the affected students[2]. The demonstration held in front of the college was organised by the Tiruchi unit of ABVP and led by the its district organising secretary Arun Prasad.
Internal Complaints Committee confirmed the veracity of the complaint lodged by the students with the Principal in March 2021 and submitted its report during April 2021: Speaking to media, ABVP south Tamil Nadu unit State secretary Suseela said the college authorities placed Paul Chandra Mohan only under suspension. The demonstration was organised to seek justice for the affected students. The State government and the police must immediately take action against the faculty member. The ABVP would continue its protest aross the State if he was not arrested. The college authorities recently placed “Mr. Paul Chandra Mohan” in suspension in compliance with the recommendations of its Internal Complaints Committee. The committee had confirmed the veracity of the complaint lodged by the students with the Principal in March 2021 and submitted its report during April 2021. Why then the CSI and the Bishop Heber College have been delaying til June 2021? Why the Bishop should meet M. K. Stalin, CM on 29-06-2021 and decided to only suspend“Mr. Paul Chandra Mohan” on 30-06-2021?[3]
The biased report of “The Hindu” about “Mr. Paul Chandra Mohan”: Note, the way “The Hindu” reports, as if the ABVP was alone interested in demonsrating against the sexually harassing “Mr. Paul Chandra Mohan,” whereas the other student and women organizations are not interested. The SFI, DYFI, AIDWA and others – not known as to why they are not demonstrating or against this particular sexual harassment case. “The Hindu” has been addressing and mentioning him as “Mr. Paul Chandra Mohan,” as if he has been a Great Soul on the earth. As N. Ram has been reportedly Communist and accommodating more leftist news, articles and stuff in The Hindu, Frontline etc., it is quite evident that again in this affair also, he has decided to do so. Incidentally, this news appears / appeared only in the “Trichirappalli edition.”
From “Mr. Paul Chandra Mohan,” to “C.J. Paul Chandramohan,” who has been arrested on 07-07-2021– “The Hindu” way of reporting: The Tiruchi City Police on Wednesday 07—07-2021, arrested the suspended associate professor and Head, Department of Tamil, at Bishop Heber College, C.J. Paul Chandramohan on charges of sexually harassing some women students of the college a few months ago[4]. The arrest of Paul Chandramohan comes a few days after he was placed under suspension by the college authorities in compliance with the recommendations of its Internal Complaints Committee, which had confirmed the veracity of the complaint, which a group of postgraduate women students had lodged with the principal in March this year. The Committee had submitted its report during April 2021. The alleged sexual harassment had happened during offline classes conducted in the college in February 2021. The Associate Professor was alleged to have used double engenders during the classes.
February to July, 2021 – the long process adopted and adapted to research into “alleged sexual harassments”!: Police sources said Paul Chandramohan was arrested based on a complaint preferred by the District Social Welfare Officer, Tiruchi A. Thameemunisa with the Srirangam All Women Police Station. The Srirangam All Women Police registered a case against Paul Chandramohan under IPC sections 354-A (sexual harassment), 354-D (stalking), 294 (b) (uttering obscene words in or near any public place), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) and section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Woman Act, said the sources[5]. Prior to lodging the complaint, the District Social Welfare Officer had conducted an inquiry into the allegations[6]. Ms. Thameemunisa had visited the college recently and examined the complaint and related documents besides the action taken based on the report of the Internal Complaints Committee[7].
“the complainants were reluctant to file a formal complaint” – the serious issue: “As the complainants were reluctant to file a formal complaint, an inquiry was conducted on order of the Collector to verify the authenticity of complaints. Based on the outcome of the inquiry, we have now filed a complaint at the Srirangam station,” a source from the department said[8]. R Sakthivel, DC (Law and order), Tiruchy city, said[9], “Based on the complaint of the Social Welfare Department, we have arrested the accused. Further investigations are underway. He will be remanded shortly.” The news reporting – “As the complainants were reluctant to file a formal complaint”, and others – have been perplexing, contradicting and confusing also, as it has already been reported that the complaint letter of one girl student has been published in the media. How then that complaint letter has not gone to the police? Moreover, based on the complaints of the girls in February 2021, the proceedings were going on slowly to July 2021. Then, what happened to the complaints made by the girls in February 2021?
- When the accused have been charged with the same and similar violation of Acts and Rules, they have to be subjected to legal processes without and favour or leniency.
- There is no question of accusing “Brahmanism” in the case of PSBB, but keeping quite in the case of Mosque and Church run schools and colleges.
- It is shocking, appalling and disgusting to know that the predator-sex accused has been much protected and concealed than the victims.
- Even, the law and order enforcing authorities, the Child Welfare Committees, Women activist organizations and others have been pathetic in implementing legal action carrying out judicial processes.
- Is there any secular legalism, secular judicial process and secular court proceedings to do so?
- The secular Indians may have to wait and see.
- Let the legality and judiciary prevail.
© Vedaprakash
11-07-2021
[1] The Hindu, ABVP demands action against suspended Bishop Heber College faculty member, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT, TIRUCHI, JULY 06, 2021 19:30 IST’ UPDATED: JULY 07, 2021 07:23 IST.
[2] https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/abvp-demands-action-against-suspended-faculty-member/article35173329.ece
[3] As reported in the “Kumudam Reporter,” dated 02-07-2021 issue, as the Bishop was talking to its reporter confirming that he would take action against “Mr. Paul Chandra Mohan”!
[4] The Hindu, Bishop Heber College’s Tamil HoD arrested on sexual harassment charges in Tiruchi, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTTIRUCHI, JULY 07, 2021 15:13 IST; UPDATED: JULY 07, 2021 15:18 IST.
[5] https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/bishop-heber-colleges-tamil-hod-arrested-on-sexual-harassment-charges-in-tiruchi/article35187443.ece
[6] News Today, Bishop Heber College professor arrested for sexually harassing students, by NT Bureau, Posted on July 8, 2021.
[7] https://newstodaynet.com/index.php/2021/07/08/bishop-heber-college-professor-arrested-for-sexually-harassing-students/
[8] Indian Express, Tiruchy: Bishop Heber College’s Tamil dept HoD arrested after students complain of inappropriate behavior, Published: 08th July 2021 01:23 AM | Last Updated: 08th July 2021 01:23 AM
[9] https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2021/jul/08/tiruchy-bishop-heber-colleges-tamil-dept-hod-arrested-after-students-complain-of-inappropriate-beh-2327001.html