Former and current students of a premier school in Chennai have raised sexual harassment complaints against a commerce teacher working at the school. It has been alleged that he has been sexually harassing schoolgirls for years. A few alumni have also said that despite bringing this to the notice of the school administration, no action was taken. The school, however, has denied that they had received complaints about the teacher in question.
The complaints against him stand as follows – sending pornographic images, talking obscenely about students' appearance, telling jokes to students filled with sexual innuendos, making phone calls to students at odd hours, touching them unnecessarily, and even making an appearance, clad in just a towel while taking online classes. Notably, schools aren't having contact classes owing to the pandemic.
The alumni of the school have written a letter of complaint to the school dean, demanding the immediate dismissal of the teacher and have pressed for an inquiry into the matter. The incident has gone viral on social media and caused a great deal of shock. The police are actively investigating the matter.
MPs Kanimozhi, Thamizachi Thangapandian and singer Chinmayi have demanded that strict action be taken against the teacher. Further, School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh has said that the teacher will be investigated for claims of sexual harassment and if found to be true, appropriate action will be taken against him.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that he has been suspended from his teaching job. The police have also seized his belongings including his laptop and cell phone at his house in Nanganallur and are actively investigating his mother and wife as well.
Taking stock of the situation, this is what actress Lakshmi Priyaa Chandramouli, who was most recently seen in Dhanush's Karnan, had to say on the matter.
Oh, come on now!!! How can the school not be aware of this kind of behaviour that has been happening for decades!! Request and trust that the relevant authorities WILL take appropriate action on Rajagopalan and the school!!#PSBB pic.twitter.com/lYwLyOSaXP
— Lakshmi Priyaa Chandramouli (@LakshmiPriyaaC) May 24, 2021