Visakhapatnam: The Students of Andhra University manhandled the Professor of Head of Sanskrit Department K. Yedukondalu for allegedly sexually harassing female students.
Five female students have complained to the student union that the professor misbehaved with them. On Monday, the students and union leaders took law in their hands and attacked the professor in the campus.
According to sources, Prof. Yedukondalu asked personally to meet female student to take hall tickets for the MA Sanskrit semester-end exams. When they refused to meet them, he did not allow them to write the exams, and showed that they did not have the required attendance.
More than 20 students in the class used to study classes regularly, but only three were allowed to go to the examination. Earlier, in 2014, the professor tried to cover a research scholar, Sagar, who had demanded sexual relations with a female student in exchange for better numbers.
A four-member committee confirmed that after such behavior was unfair, the professor was suspended for two years from administrative posts. Despite this, he was made head of the department in 2016.
According to sources, Prof Yedukondalu has given female students the opportunity to work in films through their contacts, and provided financial assistance in exchange for sexual favors.
The students have complained to AU’s Rector Pro Gayatri Devi and Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nageshwar Rao. The University has said that a committee will be formed to investigate the allegations and action will be taken against the professor,
The Andhra University Registrar V. Umeshwar Rao said, “Earlier even a committee had warned the professor, we will solve the issue and punish the guilty as soon as possible, but we condemn the attack on campus without proper complaint to the principal. Students should not take law in their own hands. “
