IUST explains position on Sikh girl’s harassment claim

Srinagar, July 8: The Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora Sunday explained its position on the alleged harassment of a Sikh girl of Tral, who is a student at the varsity. “This is in reference to the news items being shown in both print and electronic media regarding the incident of harassment of one girl student (name withheld) who is pursuing Diploma programme at Islamic University of Science & Technology (IUST), Awantipora,” the IUST said in a statement. The university came to know about the incident in the morning of 26th June 2018 when the father along with the daughter who hail from Tral area of district Pulwama reported that she is being harassed by some of her classmates. After having detailed discussions with the Vice Chancellor, both girl and her father got convinced about the seriousness of university to look into the matter, they left the campus. Keeping in view the sensitivity of the matter, the university immediately constituted a Committee which was asked to look into the incident and submit the preliminary report upto 4.00 PM on 26th June 2018. The Committee submitted the preliminary report on the same day. On the recommendations of the committee, one female faculty from Polytechnic Collège was instructed to personally remain in touch with the girl. Further while going through the records of the girl, it has been found that she has some health issues in first semester and around 3 backlogs in first semester and has very poor attendance in the second (current) semester. The father of the girl again visited the campus on 2nd of July and met Vice Chancellor and informed that her daughter has been attacked by some unknown masked men in the morning of 2nd July at Tral Bus Stand when she was waiting for the bus. A FIR in this regard has been lodged in the Police Station Tral. The Vice Chancellor apprised the father of the girl that the university is taking all the possible factors associated with the matter into consideration and prime concern of the University is safety within the campus and continuation of studies of the candidate. The university also offered hostel facility to the girl within the campus and permitted her to stay in the hostel along with her guardian if she so wishes, but the they did not agree to that. Instead they informed that if the university bus can be extended to 3 to 4 kilometers more, their problem will get solved and she can continue her studies. The university immediately extended the bus facility to the spot which was identified by the father of the girl. A delegation of Gurdawara Prabandh Committee under the leadership of their district President Prof. Joginder Singh Shan met twice to the Registrar of the university who held threadbare discussions in a very cordial and conducive atmosphere. Prof. Shan expressed his full satisfaction and confidence in the tireless efforts made by the university administration to resolve this issue amicably. Prof. Shan also assured all his possible help to the university administration to resolve this issue. The case is being investigated by the J&K Police and university besides being in constant touch, is sharing all the relevant information with the investigating agency so that a true picture of the matter is ascertained. The university refutes all allegations and requests all the civilized citizens of the country to not take any heed to any rumours and conspiracies of all those mischievous elements who are always there to create mistrust and dilute the harmony and diversity of the country. These elements are trying to further their selfish interests by creating a divide in society through propaganda. IUST has been a symbol of harmony and diversity since its inception and recent joining of many people from various parts of the country as its family members is a living example in this regard. The university has upheld the spirit of respect and dignity towards all faiths and will continue to protect the ambience of the university from any dividing and negative elements. We have been living and working as a family and we shall remain as a family inspite of all odds and barriers.