K S SCHOOL LECTURERS UP IN ARMS AGAINST FOUL-MOUTHED STAFFER
As many as 20 women lecturers have accused the computer operator of abuse and intimidation. A complaint has been sent to GU VC and Women’s Development Cell
Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Wednesday, August 14, 2013
(http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/2/201308142013081402111859b5038d78/K-S-SCHOOL-LECTURERS-UP-IN-ARMS-AGAINST-FOULMOUTHED-STAFFER.html)Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Women faculty members of K S School of Business Management have taken on the institute’s computer operator, alleging harassment, intimidation and use of offensive language. A formal complaint signed by lecturers, both permanent and visiting, against Binoy Shah was sent to institute’s director Sarla Achuthan, Gujarat University’s acting Vice Chancellor Mukul Shah, registrar Rajesh Patel and Women’s Development Cell of Gujarat University.
According to sources, Achuthan’s “inaction” despite repeated complaints is what prompted as many as 20 women faculty members to seek the incharge VC’s intervention. Male faculty members of MBA and MSc (CA & IT), around 25 of them, have also signed the complaint and demanded strict action against Binoy. “He is discourteous and uses offensive, uncivilised language. Every day he confronts one or the other faculty member, uses abusive language and is violent towards them.
He has manhandled faculty and staff members which was brought to your notice also,” reads the letter addressed to Achuthan. “At least two faculty members who were humiliated by Binoy quit their job because the director always sided with him. One of them put in his papers the day Binoy pulled him by the collar in front of the students. A woman lecturer put in her papers after he threw her cellphone in a fit of rage and no action was taken against him.
We have been tolerating him for the past four years. We do not know whether it is Achuthan or Binoy who runs the show at the institute,” said a lecturer requesting anonymity. Faculty members say that it was after the state government acted against GU VC Adesh Pal that they mustered the courage to approach GU with a written complaint. “If a VC can be shown the door, I am sure we can expect strict action in this case, too,” said a faculty member.
According to the letter, faculty members are so terrified with his behaviour that they are scared of entering the institute’s office. “If two people are talking, he will intervene and pass a nasty comment that will invariably lead to a scuffle. He even masquerades as the director in front of visitors. He always speaks in a threatening manner and points his finger at us, almost poking us in the face.
Such confidence can only come from an assurance from the director that he can do as he pleases and he will not be questioned,” said another lecturer. She added, “Once, blinded with fury, he caught hold of a visiting faculty member and forcibly pressed his forefinger on the biometric fingerprint machine. Binoy got away with that, too. Why is the director so scared of throwing him out?” said a woman faculty member.
‘COUNTER COMPLAINT SENT TO VC’
Meanwhile, Binoy has filed a counter complaint against the faculty members alleging “bias” and “mental harassment”. Binoy said, “I have been with this institute for 15 years now and am also in charge of administration. I have never misbehaved with anyone. The allegations are false. The lecturers are biased and always mentally harass me. All of them want me to complete their work first. Now, that is impossible.”
When contacted Achuthan said, “Wherever you go, there usually are a couple of people with whom others have a problem. I am looking into the matter. I will submit my reply to the university when summoned.” GU’s incharge VC Mukul Shah said, “We have received a complaint from the faculty members of KS School . We will look into the matter on Wednesday. If Binoy Shah is found guilty, action will be taken against him.”
According to sources, Achuthan’s “inaction” despite repeated complaints is what prompted as many as 20 women faculty members to seek the incharge VC’s intervention. Male faculty members of MBA and MSc (CA & IT), around 25 of them, have also signed the complaint and demanded strict action against Binoy. “He is discourteous and uses offensive, uncivilised language. Every day he confronts one or the other faculty member, uses abusive language and is violent towards them.
He has manhandled faculty and staff members which was brought to your notice also,” reads the letter addressed to Achuthan. “At least two faculty members who were humiliated by Binoy quit their job because the director always sided with him. One of them put in his papers the day Binoy pulled him by the collar in front of the students. A woman lecturer put in her papers after he threw her cellphone in a fit of rage and no action was taken against him.
We have been tolerating him for the past four years. We do not know whether it is Achuthan or Binoy who runs the show at the institute,” said a lecturer requesting anonymity. Faculty members say that it was after the state government acted against GU VC Adesh Pal that they mustered the courage to approach GU with a written complaint. “If a VC can be shown the door, I am sure we can expect strict action in this case, too,” said a faculty member.
According to the letter, faculty members are so terrified with his behaviour that they are scared of entering the institute’s office. “If two people are talking, he will intervene and pass a nasty comment that will invariably lead to a scuffle. He even masquerades as the director in front of visitors. He always speaks in a threatening manner and points his finger at us, almost poking us in the face.
Such confidence can only come from an assurance from the director that he can do as he pleases and he will not be questioned,” said another lecturer. She added, “Once, blinded with fury, he caught hold of a visiting faculty member and forcibly pressed his forefinger on the biometric fingerprint machine. Binoy got away with that, too. Why is the director so scared of throwing him out?” said a woman faculty member.
‘COUNTER COMPLAINT SENT TO VC’
Meanwhile, Binoy has filed a counter complaint against the faculty members alleging “bias” and “mental harassment”. Binoy said, “I have been with this institute for 15 years now and am also in charge of administration. I have never misbehaved with anyone. The allegations are false. The lecturers are biased and always mentally harass me. All of them want me to complete their work first. Now, that is impossible.”
When contacted Achuthan said, “Wherever you go, there usually are a couple of people with whom others have a problem. I am looking into the matter. I will submit my reply to the university when summoned.” GU’s incharge VC Mukul Shah said, “We have received a complaint from the faculty members of KS School . We will look into the matter on Wednesday. If Binoy Shah is found guilty, action will be taken against him.”
