Ganderbal, Oct 02: In a major administrative development, the Central University of Kashmir (CUK) attached the Head of the Department (HoD) of Chemistry to the office of the Dean Academic Affairs and relieved him of his headship responsibilities. The decision follows campus protests by students alleging verbal abuse and harassment by the senior faculty member.
Dr Prashant Kumar Gupta, Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry, has been nominated as the coordinator of the Department of Chemistry until further orders.
“Pending enquiry into the compliant against Head, Department of Chemistry, Dr. Chinnappan Baskar, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, is hereby attached with the office of the Dean Academic Affairs with immediate effect and is relieved from all the departmental /official assignments, including Headship. Consequent to above, Dr. Prashant Kumar Gupta, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, is hereby nominated as coordinator of the Department of Chemistry till further orders” reads an official order from the varsity .
The incident came to light after students gathered at the university’s Science Campus in Nunnar, Ganderbal, demanding action against the professor.
Demonstrating students alleged that grievances against the HoD had been escalating over several months, citing instances of verbal abuse during lectures and harassment to a female student.
Demanding accountability and a safer academic environment, students called for immediate intervention by higher authorities, leading to brief disruptions on campus before administrative officials stepped in to address the situation.
To ensure an impartial environment during the investigation, the university administration ordered the professor’s attachment to office of the Dean Academic Affairs and formally divested him of his administrative authority. Confirming the development, the CUK Registrar yesterday stated that an internal inquiry committee has been constituted to investigate the allegations thoroughly.
Further disciplinary steps will depend on the findings submitted by the inquiry panel. Officials emphasized that the university maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding harassment on campus and is committed to fostering a secure, supportive environment for all students.
The allegations currently remain subject to the outcome of the ongoing internal inquiry.
