Port Blair, Oct 27: Raising serious concerns over the safety and dignity of island students, the Chairman of the Campaign Committee, ANTCC, G Bhasker, has strongly opposed the proposed transfer of Prof. C. Madhavaiah Chendragiri, a senior faculty member from Pondicherry Central University accused of sexual harassment— to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
In a sharply worded letter to the Lt. Governor, Bhasker condemned the university’s move as “irresponsible, discriminatory, and contrary to the principles of natural justice and UGC’s own guidelines on sexual harassment prevention.” According to him, while the inquiry against four accused individuals at the Karaikal campus is still underway, three have already been suspended— but Prof. Madhavaiah has instead been “rewarded with a transfer” to the Islands, allegedly as a punishment posting.
“This is deeply objectionable,” Bhasker asserted. “Such a transfer undermines the ongoing investigation, compromises the safety of our students, and treats the Andaman & Nicobar Islands as a convenient dumping ground for those facing serious charges. This is an insult to the people and to the values our institutions stand for.”
Calling for immediate cancellation of the transfer, Bhasker urged the authorities to send the professor back to Pondicherry until the inquiry is complete. He warned that if the decision is not revoked within 48 hours, the Congress Party will join students in protest and stage a sit-in until justice is ensured. “The Andaman & Nicobar Islands have always been known for their safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environment. We will not allow anyone to compromise that,” Bhasker emphasized.
Copies of his letter have been forwarded to the Chief Minister of Puducherry, the Chief Secretary of the A&N Administration, and the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar of Pondicherry University, urging them to act swiftly in the larger interest of students from the Islands.
