One of the three female students accused in a distressing ragging and sexual harassment case at Dharamshala's Government College has publicly denied all allegations. The case revolves around the tragic death of their 19-year-old classmate on December 26.
Accused Student's Public Defence
In a video statement circulated on social media, the accused student firmly rejected claims that she or her classmates subjected the deceased to ragging or harassment. She argued that as first-year BA classmates, all belonging to the Scheduled Caste community, such actions were implausible. "How is it possible that we ragged our own classmate?" she questioned, expressing confusion over the allegations.
The student suggested that the deceased was allegedly scared of her "very strict" father. She also mentioned hearing unverified reports about a third-year student's involvement but emphasized there was no proof.
Support for Suspended Professor
The video also contained a defence of the accused associate professor, who was suspended on Saturday following the registration of a police case. The student claimed the professor was innocent and never made anyone feel uncomfortable.
This support was echoed by the college faculty, who issued a statement praising the professor's "unblemished record and impeccable integrity." They also countered caste-based allegations, noting the teacher belongs to the OBC category.
Legal Action and Government Response
Acting on a complaint filed by the deceased girl's father, police have registered a case under serious sections. These include Section 75 (sexual harassment) and Section 115(2) (causing hurt) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with provisions of the Himachal Pradesh Educational Institution (Prohibition of) Ragging Act 2009.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has taken personal note of the incident. He expressed grief and spoke to the grieving parents over the phone late on Saturday evening. The CM assured a transparent, rigorous, and time-bound investigation and confirmed the professor's suspension as a preliminary step to ensure a fair inquiry.
The state government, through an official statement, reiterated its commitment to a thorough probe. The case has sent shockwaves through the educational community in Himachal Pradesh, raising urgent questions about student safety and anti-ragging mechanisms.
