Nagpur Law School Launches Inquiry into Professor's Alleged Misconduct
Allegations against Dr. Ahmar Afaq include sending lewd texts and urging students to convert to Islam, prompting protests and an investigation.
Dr. Ahmar Afaq is accused of sending inappropriate messages to female students.
A high-level committee has been formed to investigate the allegations.
Protests erupted on campus, demanding accountability and student safety.
In a troubling incident at Symbiosis Law School in Nagpur, allegations have emerged against faculty member Dr. Ahmar Afaq, who is accused of sending sexually explicit messages to female students and pressuring them to convert to Islam. The situation escalated when a student disclosed the alleged communications to her father, leading to a confrontation with Afaq on campus and subsequent involvement from local authorities.
The allegations surfaced publicly following the father's intervention, which prompted the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) to engage with both the college administration and the Nagpur Police Commissioner. In response to the gravity of the claims, the law school has established a high-level committee tasked with conducting a thorough investigation into the matter.
As a precautionary measure, Dr. Afaq has been placed on leave and is prohibited from accessing the campus or participating in any academic activities while the inquiry is underway. The committee will also look into similar accusations related to Afaq's previous tenure at Symbiosis Law School in Hyderabad, indicating a broader concern regarding his conduct.
The controversy has sparked significant unrest at the Nagpur campus, with protests occurring on October 17, led by members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). Demonstrators are demanding swift action against Afaq and assurances regarding student safety. The police have facilitated discussions between the protesters and university officials, and an open forum was held where over 100 students expressed their concerns and sought clarity on the investigation process.
While no formal police report has been filed regarding the allegations as of now, students, alumni, and parents have initiated an online petition advocating for a transparent inquiry and measures to protect students. This incident echoes a similar case earlier this year involving allegations of sexual harassment and religious coercion at a Tata Consultancy Services unit in Nashik, highlighting ongoing issues within educational institutions in Maharashtra.
