Goa University has informed the Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) that its Vice Chancellor and Registrar were not informed about the controversial show where male MBA students were allegedly made to parade intheir underwear during a segment titled ‘Third Degree’, held as part of the Frolic festival earlier this year.
In a reply submitted on Wednesday, Registrar Sunder Dhuri stated that neither Vice Chancellor Prof Harilal Menon nor the Registrar or Dean of the GoaBusiness School had knowledge of such an ‘inappropriate item’. The clarification comes in response to the GHRC’s directive after it took suo motu cognisance of a report published byO Heraldoon July 10.
O Heraldohad reported that male students were made to parade in underwear on stage during one of the items called ‘Third Degree’, in the presence of girl students, who were not allowed to leave.
The University, in its reply, stated that the three-day Frolic event was organised by students of the Goa Business School on campus in February this year. Following complaints from some students, the Dean of Goa Business School immediately directed the disciplinary committee, anti-ragging committee and internal committee to conduct an inquiry into the incident.
It further said that the Dean had allowed the event on the recommendation of the Vice Dean and the student organisers.
The University also constituted a fact-finding committee comprising independent individuals with relevant expertise. The report of the committee has now been submitted to the University and will be placed before the Executive Council meeting scheduled for 11 am on Friday, July 25.
Denying any negligence, the University reiterated that the Vice Chancellor, Registrar and Dean had no knowledge of the ‘inappropriate item’ and that the Dean did not attend the three-day event.
The explanation sought from the Dean of Goa Business School has also been enclosed with the report.
When contacted, Goa University Assistant Registrar (Public Relations) Shashikant Morajkar confirmed that the report has been submitted to the Goa Human Rights Commission.