JU Fights Back: Professor Who Called Virgins Sealed Bottle, Divested Of His Duties

Merely days after Jadavpur University’s International Relations Professor Kanak Sarkar compared a woman’s virginity to a “sealed bottle” or “packet”, students’ fury has led to the professor being divested of his duties with immediate effect on January 16.

Sarkar, who has gained notoriety in the varsity for passing lewd remarks and sexist posts on Facebook wrote, “Virgin girl is like sealed bottle or sealed packet. Are you willing to buy broken seal while purchasing a bottle of cold drinks or a packet of biscuits…To most boys’ virgin wife is like angel.” The post has since then been removed from his Facebook profile, which has also been deactivated.

Post triggered protests

However, this post did not go unnoticed and it triggered a heated debate on Facebook with many of his former and present students coming up to say that this isn’t the first time that the professor had made such a remark. Talking to The Logical Indian, Bijetri Pathak, a third-year International Relations student alleged that the professor has made casteist, sexist and racist remarks during his classes which are downright offensive.

Recollecting an incident from her first year of college she said, “He (Sarkar) had laughingly said that had I visited his house, he might have just given me more marks than what I got in the exams.” The students’ protests and demonstrations were a culmination of years of silence, thinks Pathak.

Right after the derogatory post, the varsity’s students took to streets and the campus and raised slogans demanding the removal of the professor. On January 16, students led by the IR department met with the teacher body of the university where they submitted a deputation.

Following hours of deliberation, the head of the IR department, Omprakash Mishra said that in light of the allegations and cases of misconduct by the professor, his duties have been divested and that arrangements for a substitute teacher would be decided in a meeting on January 18. Moreover, the National Commission For Women has taken took suo motu cognisance of the matter and NCW chairperson, Rekha Sharma is set to meet the vice-chancellor on January 18 as well.

Justifying his statements, the professor in another post said, “I have not written anything against any person, individual or anybody without any evidence or proof or any reference. I am doing social research and writing for the good and wellbeing of society. It’s everybody’s right to express his/her thoughts. I have given many posts for and in favour of women,” reported India Today.

Despite debates, discussions and deliberations on issues surrounding sexism and misogyny, a professor of a reputed institute has come up to make such derogatory posts about women. While every individual is entitled to their opinions, it shouldn’t be at the cost of sounding sexist or offensive. The Logical Indian condemns the remarks and hopes for strict actions against the accused.

Also Read: Jadavpur University Authorities Bow Down To Students’ Protests, Agree To Bring Back Entrance Tests