Prof's candidature opposed

New Delhi: The candidature of Bidyut Chakrabarty, a professor of political science, for the post of vice-chancellor at Delhi University has ruffled quite a few feathers.
Citing past allegations against Chakrabarty, academicians from institutions in Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata and Hyderabad and eight women rights groups have signed an open letter to President Pranab Mukherjee, urging him to take "sexual harassment seriously".
The letter, posted on Thursday, expressed shock over appointment of Chakrabarty to the executive council of Jawaharlal Nehru University in October and dismay over reports that he is among the frontrunners for the DU VC post.
The letter cited DU EC's resolution of October 8, 2007, where it was resolved that a letter of warning be issued to Chakrabarty, he be asked to step down from the directors's chair of Gandhi Bhawan and debarred from holding any administrative post in DU for three years. This was following allegations of sexual harassment by an employee of Gandhi Bhawan on April 4, 2007.
The EC, in its resolution, stated that "the council further resolved that prof Bidyut Chakrabarty be debarred from all administrative posts and supervisory duties in the university for the remainder period out of the 3 years..."
The letter stated that "the visitor and the selection committee have chosen to ignore the Vishakha guidelines wherein the Supreme Court noted that each incident of sexual harassment is a violation of fundamental rights of gender equality and the right of life and liberty..."
The signatories to the open letter penned by Nivedita Menon of JNU include Achin Vanaik, former head of political science, DU, Jayati Ghosh, of JNU, Uma Chakravarti, feminist historian, Kalpana Kannabiran, director, Council for Social Development, Hyderabad, and Kavita Krishnan, All India Progressive Women Association, among others.
Despite repeated attempts, Chakrabarty could not be contacted for comments.