Kolkata: The discourse surrounding sexual harassment and scandals at India’s premier educational institutions, such as Jadavpur University (JU) in West Bengal and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi, reflects a complex interplay of individual freedom, institutional responsibility, and societal expectations. These cases, often amplified by media attention, have sparked debates about the boundaries of personal liberty, the misuse of freedom, and the need for robust mechanisms to address grievances. While freedom is a cornerstone of academic environments, fostering critical thinking and self-expression, its misinterpretation as license for unchecked behavior can lead to harm, exploitation, and a culture of impunity. This article examines key incidents at JU and JNU, drawing on verified reports to present a balanced narrative, while emphasizing that true freedom lies in living on one’s own terms without infringing on the dignity of others.
Jadavpur University: A Legacy Marred by Harassment Cases
Jadavpur University, a prestigious institution known for its vibrant intellectual culture, has faced multiple allegations of sexual harassment over the years, drawing significant media scrutiny. One of the earliest reported incidents occurred in 2014, when a second-year History student alleged she was molested by a group of male students inside a boys’ hostel on August 28. The victim claimed she was dragged into the hostel, beaten, and had her phone snatched, leaving her traumatized. She filed an FIR with the Jadavpur police, identifying one engineering student and six others from the same faculty as perpetrators. The incident, reported by India Today, sparked outrage and highlighted safety concerns on campus. While the police investigation proceeded, the university faced criticism for its initial response, underscoring the need for stronger institutional mechanisms to address such cases.
In 2016, another high-profile case emerged when thirteen students from JU’s English department accused the son of a professor of sexual harassment. The allegations, first made public by an undergraduate student via a Facebook post, included claims of lewd messages, unwanted advances, and physical molestation. The university suspended the accused and formed a fact-finding committee, as reported by The Indian Express. The Arts Faculty Students’ Union demanded the accused’s suspension, the inclusion of a student representative in the probe, and that the accused’s parent not assume a leadership role in the department. The case revealed systemic issues, as the complainant alleged prior complaints in 2015 were ignored, and she faced bullying from the accused’s friend, a Presidency University student. The West Bengal Women’s Commission later found prima facie evidence of harassment, urging further action.
In 2017, a case involving an assistant professor in JU’s comparative literature department further highlighted the challenges of addressing harassment. A student alleged the professor made inappropriate remarks during a class, referencing explicit content from a text in a suggestive manner. Students boycotted his classes, citing a history of inappropriate behavior, but the lack of a formal complaint to the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) limited institutional action. Scroll.in reported that the professor’s status as a government employee complicated efforts to replace or dismiss him, reflecting bureaucratic hurdles in addressing such cases. The incident underscored students’ distrust in the ICC, which they perceived as ineffective and prone to administrative influence.
A 2020 case involved a former JU student accusing an engineering assistant professor of coercing her into a sexual relationship with promises of marriage, only to abandon her. The Jadavpur police registered an FIR based on her complaint, which detailed a relationship spanning 2018 to March 2020. The case, covered by The Times of India, highlighted issues of power dynamics and consent, raising questions about accountability for faculty members.
More recently, in 2023, the death of an 18-year-old first-year student at JU, who allegedly jumped from a hostel balcony, prompted investigations into a possible sexual harassment angle. The Kolkata police arrested two students after discrepancies in their statements, and the incident fueled statewide protests against ragging and campus violence. The university established an internal committee to probe the matter, while Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee assured support to the victim’s family. This case, reported by Hindustan Times, underscored the intersection of harassment, ragging, and institutional negligence.
JNU: From MMS Scandal to Systemic Concerns
JNU, renowned for its progressive ethos and student activism, has also grappled with sexual harassment scandals that have tarnished its reputation as a safe campus. The 2011 MMS scandal was a pivotal moment, when a pornographic video clip involving two students surfaced on campus. The clip, shot in April 2010 at Tapti hostel, featured a female student who left the university without graduating, and a male student from the computer science department. India Today reported that the university suspended two students after a proctorial inquiry, with Delhi Police later arresting the accused, Janardan Kumar, for circulating the video as an act of revenge after a fallout with his partner. The incident raised questions about privacy, consent, and the ethics of recording intimate moments, with media framing it as a “scandal” that challenged JNU’s image as a bastion of idealism.
In 2018, JNU faced multiple harassment cases. One involved a professor from the School of Life Sciences, Atul Johri, accused by eight female students of molestation. The Delhi Police arrested him, and students marched to demand justice, as reported by Hindustan Times. Another case saw a PhD scholar accuse a School of Social Sciences professor of molestation and threats, with a case registered under IPC sections 354, 506, and 509. The JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU) criticized the ICC for delays and inaction, reflecting broader dissatisfaction with the replacement of the Gender Sensitisation Committee Against Sexual Harassment (GSCASH) with the ICC in 2017.
The dismantling of GSCASH, a body praised for its autonomy and sensitivity, was a turning point. Data obtained via RTI revealed that JNU recorded 151 sexual harassment complaints since 2017, with a peak of 63 in 2018-19. The Indian Express noted that 98% of cases were resolved, but the ICC’s lack of transparency and alleged administrative influence fueled distrust. In 2024, a second-year student at the Centre for Chinese and South-East Asian Studies alleged harassment by a professor, prompting her to leave campus. The JNUSU demanded the professor’s suspension and GSCASH’s reinstatement, citing inadequate security and ICC inaction. Another incident in October 2024 saw 47 female students file a joint complaint about harassment at a freshers’ party, alleging procedural violations by the ICC, as reported by The Hindu
The Message: Freedom with Responsibility
The cases at JU and JNU highlight a critical tension between individual freedom and the responsibility to respect others’ autonomy. Academic institutions are spaces where young adults explore their identities, often embracing progressive ideals and personal liberties. However, freedom must not devolve into licentiousness, where actions disregard consent or exploit vulnerabilities. The MMS scandal at JNU, for instance, was not merely about the act of recording but the betrayal of trust through its circulation, turning a private moment into public humiliation. Similarly, allegations at JU involving faculty and students reveal power imbalances that undermine the spirit of equality and respect.
This is not about moral policing or imposing restrictive norms but about fostering a culture where individuals live on their own terms without being used or exploited. Both men and women must recognize that true freedom lies in mutual respect and consent. The failure of institutional mechanisms, such as JU’s ICC or JNU’s post-GSCASH framework, exacerbates these issues, leaving survivors disillusioned and perpetrators emboldened. Students’ reluctance to approach ICCs, as seen in the 2017 JU case, stems from fears of victim-shaming and bureaucratic delays, pushing them toward public platforms like social media.
The struggle for freedom in academic spaces—freedom to learn, express, and grow—must include a fight for accountability. Universities must strengthen their grievance redressal systems, ensuring transparency and survivor-centric approaches. The reinstatement of bodies like GSCASH, as demanded by JNU students, could restore trust. Moreover, fostering open conversations about consent, power dynamics, and healthy relationships can prevent freedom from being misconstrued as permissiveness.
The sexual harassment cases at Jadavpur University and JNU underscore the challenges of balancing individual freedom with collective responsibility. From the 2014 JU molestation case to the 2011 JNU MMS scandal and recent protests, these incidents reveal systemic gaps in addressing harassment and ensuring campus safety. While media coverage has amplified these issues, it often sensationalizes them, overshadowing the need for constructive dialogue. Freedom is a cherished value, but it must be exercised with respect for others’ dignity. By strengthening institutional mechanisms and promoting a culture of consent, universities can ensure that freedom does not become a license for exploitation, allowing students to thrive in environments that uphold both liberty and accountability.
Reference :
Women’s panel finds merit in JU sex-abuse complaint
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/womens-panel-finds-merit-in-ju-sex-abuse-complaint/articleshow/57880980.cms
Jadavpur University student molested inside boys hostel
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/jadavpur-university-student-molested-inside-boys-hostel-206907-2014-09-02
Students at Jadavpur university boycott classes of professor accused of serial sexual harassment
https://scroll.in/article/859140/students-at-jadavpur-university-boycott-classes-of-professor-accused-of-serial-sexual-harassment
Kolkata: Former student files rape case against Jadavpur University’s engineering professor
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/former-student-files-rape-case-against-ju-engineering-prof/articleshow/77422530.cms
Jadavpur University fresher death: 2 more students arrested by Kolkata police
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/kolkata-news/kolkata-police-arrest-two-more-students-in-jadavpur-university-death-case-investigation-underway-101691910318081.html
MMS scandal rocks JNU, probe on
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/north/story/mms-scandal-rocks-jnu-probe-ordered-128116-2011-02-07
JNU MMS scandal accused nabbed
https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/jnu-mms-scandal-accused-nabbed/story-KApXh4MqaRgYbdvQYkuPEJ.html
JU suspends prof’s son accused of sex abuse, forms panel to probe allegations
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/jadavpur-university-sexual-harassment-case-professors-son-suspended-investigatation-2939524/
Jadavpur University student molested inside boys hostel
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/jadavpur-university-student-molested-inside-boys-hostel-206907-2014-09-02
JNU teacher accused of sexual harassment and molestation, third incident in two months
https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi-news/jnu-teacher-accused-of-sexual-harassment-and-molestation-third-incident-in-two-months/story-G857WWN2Zcz5URCa16G9GL.html
JNU rocked by another sexual harassment case
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/jnu-rocked-by-another-sexual-harassment-case/articleshow/63421400.cms
JNU received 151 sexual harassment complaints since 2017, data reveals
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/jnu-sexual-harassment-complaints-data-reveals-9697130/
Several students, including JNUSU, join an indefinite protest called by the survivor of the March 31 incident, demand bringing back GSCASH.
https://www.newsclick.in/sexual-harassment-jnus-recent-track-record-mars-its-image-safe-campus
JNUSU alleges attempt to save culprits of sexual harassment
https://www.thehindu.com/incoming/jnusu-alleges-attempt-to-save-culprits-of-sexual-harassment/article68801060.ece
Why are Indian college students bypassing official sexual harassment committees?
https://www.thehindu.com/society/why-are-indian-college-students-bypassing-official-sexual-harassment-committees/article21296575.ece