MS University student accuses professor of harassment; alleges coercion for religious conversion
January 11, 2025
Vadodara : Maharaja Sayajirao University (MSU) in the city is once again embroiled in controversy as a female student has alleged that a professor in the Faculty of Arts mentally and physically harassed her. It is also alleged that the professor attempted to brainwash the female student and coerce her into converting to Islam. The student raised the issue with the Women’s Grievance Redressal Cell of the University, which led to the formation of a committee to investigate the matter. Based on preliminary findings, Associate Professor Dr. Mohammad Azhar Dheriwala has been suspended with immediate effect.
Meanwhile, another female student and a friend of the victim approached Sayajigunj Police today with her family. In a media interview, she said, “My friend, who is studying in the second year of her Master’s degree, was asked by the accused professor to work under him for NET preparation. He also brainwashed her, claiming he would secure her future. When she did not comply, she was mentally harassed. The professor used to call her alone to his house and office, where he would hug and kiss her inappropriately when no one was around. My friend told me about this, and I tried to protect her. I was also mentally harassed as the professor would ask me about her whereabouts. He would call and text me, but when I didn’t respond, he came to our neighborhood and spread false information about us.”
Regarding the alleged coercion for religious conversion, the victim’s friend said, “It’s true. He used to pressure her, saying that if she converted to his religion, he would help her pass. He was pressuring her a lot.”
The mother of the victim’s friend stated, ‘He should be suspended and never allowed to work anywhere again. He used to engage in Hindu-Muslim discrimination. That daughter is from Rajasthan, and this professor, Azhar Dheriwala, used to call her repeatedly. She stopped going to college. Later, he started pursuing my daughter and used to call her asking about the girl. When she did not respond, he spread misinformation about my daughter. We have submitted a written complaint with evidence to the Faculty Dean. We don’t want an apology because he has harmed our daughter too much.’
MSU Registrar K.M. Chudasma confirmed that the matter was taken seriously after it was brought to the attention of the committee. “After reviewing the complaint, the committee initiated an investigation, and the allegations were found to be serious at the preliminary level. Consequently, the professor was suspended, and his office was sealed,” he said.
After the matter came to light, the student organization Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) surrounded the Dean and Vice Dean of the Faculty of Arts. Additionally, the ongoing kite festival in the Faculty of Arts was halted by the ABVP. ABVP President Harshil Rabari assured the victim that the organization would stand by her if she needed any help with the case. He also demanded that such a professor be publicly garlanded with shoes. DeshGujarat
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