'Mythical Reference' On Rape: AMU Suspends Asst Prof After Issuing Show-Cause Notice For Hurting Religious Sentiments

AMU Public Relations Officer (PRO) Omar Saleem Peerzada while commenting on the same said the varsity has a zero-tolerance policy.

Aligarh Muslim University (File Photo)

New Delhi: Strongly condemning the content of a slide presented by Assistant Professor Dr Jitendra Kumar on the "mythical reference of rape", the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has suspended the former after issuing a show-cause notice to him for hurting the religious sentiments of the students, staff and citizens in general.

AMU Public Relations Officer (PRO) Omar Saleem Peerzada, while commenting on the action, said the varsity has a zero-tolerance policy.

“AMU admin and medicine faculty strongly condemned the content of a slide on the mythical reference of rape by Assistant Professor Dr Jitendra Kumar,” Peerzada said, ANI reported.

“24-hour time has been given to him to reply to our show-cause notice,” he added.

Peerzada said a two-member committee has also been formed on the recommendation of Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Professor Rakesh Bhargava, to look into the incident,” Peerzada said.

“Dr Jitendra Kumar has submitted an unconditional apology,” he added.

The AMU PRO further said the Assistant Professor has been placed under suspension till pending inquiry.

“On the basis of prima facie evidence of misconduct and seriousness of matter, Assistant Professor in Department of Forensic Medicine Dr Jitendra Kumar has been placed under suspension till pending inquiry,” Peerzada said.

“He has also been served a show-cause notice. Further action will depend on his reply,” he added.

The PRO’s remarks came as the varsity had earlier in a statement said: “The University has also set up a two-member enquiry committee on the recommendation of the Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Professor Rakesh Bhargava to look into the whole matter and suggest steps that this sort of incident does not recur.”