AMU professor alleges religion-based discrimination, says mental harassment led to her miscarriage: 'You're a Hindu, go to BHU'

Aligarh Muslim University

A senior professor named Rachna Kuashal who works with the Aligarh Muslim University, has alleged that she has faced religious discrimination and mental harassment for nearly three decades.

She also claimed that the extreme stress and pressure that she was subjected to led to her having several personal hurdles in life. She also shared that when she was pregnant with twins, severe pressure led to a miscarriage in 2004. She had joined ANU in 1998.

“Discrimination and mental harassment started shortly after my appointment. I never thought that my religious identity would be used against me in a central university," she said.

Professor Kaushal added that her husband, Dr D.K. Pandey, a senior professor at JN Medical College, AMU, passed away in 2012.

“The Dean told me, ‘You are Hindu, go to BHU.’ He also claimed that Hindu teachers deliberately avoid teaching Muslim students and questioned their activities at conferences," she alleged.

“These remarks are personally insulting and undermine the secular values of the university," she further said. She also added that such comments created a hostile work environment for her.

Despite the alleged harassment, Professor Kaushal said she continued teaching for several years in the hope that the situation would improve. However, she now believes that pursuing legal action is the only remaining course. She has stated that she plans to make the matter public and approach the police.

The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) administration has confirmed receiving the complaint and said an internal inquiry has been initiated. The university and the accused faculty member are yet to issue an official response.