Amar Singh College Row Takes Political Turn, Students Say Principal Made Scapegoat

Amar Singh College Row Takes Political Turn, Students Say Principal Made Scapegoat

Srinagar, May 8: The Amar Singh College harassment controversy appears to be taking a political turn, with several students alleging that the suspended Principal has been made a scapegoat despite following institutional protocols after the allegations surfaced on campus.
Students said the college administration acted immediately after protests erupted over alleged verbal harassment involving a faculty member from the Department of Media Studies.
According to the Principal, Prof. Aijaz Ahmed Hakak, the administration promptly intervened, recorded the students statement, initiated an inquiry, and relieved the accused faculty member from departmental affairs pending investigation.
The Principal also said that the colleges proctorial committee and Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) mechanisms were already in place to deal with such complaints and that awareness regarding harassment-related issues was regularly promoted across the campus.
Students claimed that the Principal cooperated with protesters, ensured transparency, and handled the matter through proper institutional channels instead of suppressing the issue.
The controversy intensified after Apni Party leader Jibran Dar joined protesting students inside the college campus a day before the suspension order was issued.
Many students believe the Principal became a victim of the situation despite following due process and taking immediate administrative action against the accused faculty member.
Earlier, Education Minister Sakeena Itoo ordered the suspension of both the Principal and the Assistant Professor pending inquiry into the incident.