3 weeks Ago By Ardhra Nair
1 2 3 Pune: Some postgraduate students from the sociology department at Savitribai Phule Pune University have written to vice chancellor Suresh Gosavi alleging "caste-based" discrimination, verbal abuse and mental harassment by department head Shruti Tambe. However, another group of students has denied these charges and opposed approaching the VC on the matter. They have claimed that their signatures on the minutes of an internal meeting were used without their consent as an attachment in the letter dated April 12.
Tambe refused to comment, saying the complaint was with the VC and hence, it would be appropriate to speak to the higher authorities about it. Speaking to TOI, Gosavi said the university authority will carefully look into this matter and is committed to addressing discriminatory behavior if any. "We strive to maintain a safe, inclusive and accessible environment for everyone on campus.
" In their letter, the students accused Tambe of making discriminatory remarks and unfair treatment based on caste, repeated verbal humiliation and public shaming leading to a hostile academic environment. The letter alleged that those who tried to raise their voices were met with threats and intimidation. Calling for immediate intervention, this group of students demanded that the university set up an independent inquiry committee to investigate the allegations.
They also sought protection for whistleblowers and urged the administration to implement long-term measures to ensure a safe and inclusive environment in the university. One student said, "The caste-based remarks made by her are subtle. Whenever we went to get documents signed for caste-based scholarships, she would make comments that made us feel inferior for even applying.
It caused us a lot of mental stress. But more than caste-based discrimination , it is the mental harassment that most students here face. She made comments about students' clothing, personal circumstances, and other aspects of their lives, which led to emotional distress.
She used words like ‘anti-intellectual', ‘chapri', and ‘mavali' while addressing students." All these issues — and more — were brought up during an internal meeting held on March 29 under Rajeshwari Deshpande, director of the school of social sciences, the student further said. "Tambe ma'am was present at the meeting, along with other faculty members.
These are not false allegations. A meeting was called to discuss these issues faced by students. Around 10 students later submitted the letter to the vice chancellor's office.
" However, another student disagreed with this version of events. "It is true that various concerns were raised by students at the internal meeting. But the minutes circulated afterwards did not include Tambe ma'am's responses.
So, the narrative being shared is one-sided. There was never any caste-based discrimination or derogatory remarks made by Tambe ma'am. The signatures on the letter were to mark attendance at the meeting.
Many students may not even have read the contents in detail. We are against the letter being sent to the vice chancellor or the media. All the issues raised during the meeting were looked into and addressed, wherever necessary.
We will issue a letter presenting our side tomorrow (Thursday)," the student said. A faculty member called the allegations motivated by ulterior intentions. "First of all, these are not the official minutes.
Secondly, the stand she took during certain past events at SPPU did not sit well with a particular group, which is now fabricating these allegations and influencing students to make such claims for their own vested interests. Thirdly, there appears to be a deliberate attempt to remove Tambe from her position as head of the department.".
