Police book JMI prof. for casteist slurs, staffers assault

The Delhi police on Tuesday booked an Associate Professor of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST) (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for allegedly hurling “casteist slurs” and assaulting a university employee, an officer said.

“An FIR on the complaint of Ramphul Meena against the professor under Section 3(i) (r) SC/ST Act 1989 (intentionally insulting or intimidating a SC/ST person) and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt) has been registered at Jamia Nagar police station and an investigation has been taken up,” the officer said.

According to the complainant,the professor had allegedly physically assaulted him and hurled casteist slurs on two occasions since January 13.

“On January 13, the professor came to my desk and referred to me by a casteist slur. This was entirely unprovoked,” Mr. Meena wrote in his complaint.

Mr. Meena said he had filed a written complaint with the JMI authorities, “but instead of acting, they informed the professor”.

“He [professor] again came to my desk and hurled casteist slurs and physically assaulted me. I was taken to JMI’s Ansari Health Centre for treatment,” he said.

The complainant said the university transferred him to the Sanskrit Department, but “did not take any action against the accused”.

Meanwhile, sources at the JMI said they will look into the matter and cooperate with the police probe.