Female students allege sexual assaults, extortion by Eflu faculty

 Hyderabad: Protesting students of the English and Foreign Languages University (Eflu) said that the administration is trying to clamp down on their protests — seeking justice for a sexual assault victim and constitution of a committee with students to deal with complaints — to sweep under the carpet unruly and crude behaviours of the faculty.

Female students said the recent incident of sexual assault was not the first one, claiming faculty members had indulged in such incidents without facing action despite written complaints being submitted.

They alleged that the Vice Chancellor shielded the accused faculty and if pressed, the students lodging complaints were targeted.

Students cited a recent incident of suicide, of an MA student from Haryana, that took place on January 20. “She was a healthy student and was active in various sports activities. Why did she suddenly commit suicide? No proper investigation was done,” a student said.

Female students said that professors mostly targeted unmarried students, commenting on their clothing and trying to engage in sexual talk.

Another student, not wishing to be named, said that a professor, while teaching a class, singled out a woman and highlighted her “see-through” clothing.

A third female student said that an assistant professor, without invitation, shared personal details about his sexual preferences.

A fourth student alleged that an assistant professor makes video calls after 11 pm to female students, asking them pointed questions as to what they were wearing. “If the call is not taken, he shows his rage on our academic performances. He openly acknowledges in the class that he is close to the VC and no one could do anything to him.”

A fifth student said that physical assaults were common, with professors inviting newly-joined students to their residences and offering them alcoholic drinks, before engaging in sexual innuendos and harassment.