Lecturer alleges harassment

<div class="section0"><div class="Normal"><span style="" font-size:="">BANGALORE: A senior lecturer of Bangalore University''s Centre for Kannada Studies has accused its chairman of alleged sexual harassment and mental torture.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="">The lecturer, M. Sumitra, in her memorandum to vice-chancellor M.S. Thimmappa said her promotion to the Readers'' post was being scuttled by Siddalingaiah, chairman of the centre, and that he had indulged in sexual harassment.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="">But Siddalingaiah strongly denied the charges and told The Times of India: "I am pained by such baseless allegations.I have always fought for women''s rights. This lecturer is my junior and is tarnishing my name unnecessarily. I will fight it out."</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="">On his part, Thimmappa has directed the standing committee against violence and sexual harassment on women in BU to probe the complaint and submit a report. "I have also sought an explanation from Siddalingaiah on the matter," Thimmappa stated.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="">Enraged by the allegations against Siddalingaiah, over 1,000 students from various departments in BU''s Jnanabharathi campus staged a protest and boycotted classes on Tuesday. They urged the VC to dismiss the lecturer immediately for filing false complaints against the chairman.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="">Sumitra had written a complaint in 2003 accusing Siddalingaiah of ignoring her and not inviting her to department meetings and lecturers. "She had complained of mental torture and lack of motivation," Siddalingaiah stated.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-size:="">Differences began over changing of a guide for a student who was doing his Ph.d in the department. "Since the student complained against Sumitra, I changed the guide. She is now seeking vengeance and making false allegations against me," Siddalingaiah maintained.</span><br /></div> </div>