Baroda Medical College Professor Faces Sexual Harassment Allegations During Viva Exams
A significant controversy has erupted at Baroda Medical College (BMC) in Vadodara following serious allegations of sexual harassment against a senior professor during viva voce examinations. The incident has led to immediate administrative action and an ongoing formal inquiry.
Professor Relieved of Duties Pending Investigation
Dr. Amol Bhave, who served as the vice-dean and head of the pharmacology department within the Faculty of Medicine, has been officially relieved of his positions and stripped of all examination-related responsibilities. This decisive step was taken after the college administration received a written complaint detailing the harassment allegations. The action is intended to ensure an impartial investigation while the matter is being examined.
Dean of Baroda Medical College and medical superintendent of SSG Hospital, Dr. Ranjan Aiyer, confirmed the development, stating, "The matter is under investigation by the designated committee. To ensure an unbiased probe, he was asked to step down from both the posts he was holding." The college's women's grievance redressal committee (WGRC), which operates under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) guidelines, is currently probing the complaint.
Complaint Process and Student Statements
Sources indicate that the issue first came to light approximately two weeks ago when several women students approached Dr. Shreya Shah, professor and head of the pharmacology department, who also chairs the gender harassment prevention committee. Initially, an oral complaint was made against Dr. Bhave, which was subsequently escalated to the dean's office.
A formal written complaint was later submitted through a mentor under the mentor-mentee program mandated by the National Medical Commission (NMC). Following this submission, the affected students provided their statements before the committee, leading to the initiation of a formal inquiry. The complaint alleges that during viva exams, Dr. Bhave inappropriately touched students under the pretext of "applying ointment." A source familiar with the developments noted, "The women students said the physical contact during the viva exam was inappropriate."
Administrative Changes and University Involvement
Dr. Bhave's positions fall under the Faculty of Medicine at Maharaja Sayajirao University (MSU). Sources within MSU revealed that an official communication was sent to university authorities, after which Dr. Bhave was instructed to step down before the investigation commenced. In the interim, Dr. R.K. Patel from the physiology department has been appointed as the vice-dean of the Faculty of Medicine to ensure continuity in administrative functions.
Professor's Response to Allegations
Dr. Amol Bhave has publicly denied the accusations, labeling them as "baseless." Speaking to media representatives on Friday, he expressed being "extremely disturbed" to learn that "some students felt frightened of him because of his position." He emphasized his long-standing association with the college, spanning decades, during which he has handled examination, evaluation, and assessment work, in addition to holding roles such as dean of students.
Dr. Bhave stated, "If students felt that any of my actions were with bad intention, I would have apologized. The students are of my son and daughter's age. I have always treated them like my own children." Despite his denial, the committee's proceedings are set to continue next week, with the investigation focusing on gathering evidence and testimonies to reach a conclusive outcome.
This case highlights the critical importance of robust grievance redressal mechanisms in educational institutions, particularly in sensitive environments like medical colleges where power dynamics can influence student-professor interactions. The outcome of the inquiry will be closely watched by the academic community and could set a precedent for handling similar allegations in the future.
