RBU teachers withdraw resignations after assurance from Partha

Kolkata: The intervention and assurance of state Education minister Partha Chatterjee resulted in the withdrawal of resignation by heads of four departments at Rabindra Bharati University (RBU), who had resigned on Monday alleging lackadaisical attitude on the part of the varsity in probing the allegations of gender and caste discrimination by a geography teacher.

"I have spoken to the Vice-Chancellor, who has already constituted a committee to probe the allegations. I have asked him to speed up the probe and bring the results of the same in public," Chatterjee said.

According to sources, Chatterjee went to the varsity campus at BT Road on Tuesday afternoon, after being instructed by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the wake of resignation of four departmental heads, namely those of Sanskrit, Political Science, Economics and Education.

Chatterjee also spoke to the resigning teachers and urged them to return to work so that academic activities in the varsity are not jeopardised.

It may be mentioned that the problem had originated with professor of Geography Saraswati Kerketa resigning, alleging objectionable remarks on part of some members of the student's union in the varsity regarding her caste.

The teacher, who suffers from a bone degenerative disease, had fallen ill after the alleged harassment. A committee was constituted for probing the allegations that were made at the end of last month. But the report regarding the same has not been made public yet.

Chatterjee has appealed to the students to seek apology from the teachers who had been ashamed due to their conduct. "It is your duty to respect teachers and maintain a good relation with them," he added.

The Education minister also tried to contact the geography professor but found her phone switched off.

Chatterjee also made it clear that if somebody from the Trinamool Congress student's union is found involved in the incident, strong action will be taken against him/her.