Chandigarh, 29 January 2025: Panjab University (PU) on Tuesday removed Professor JS Sehrawat as warden of Boys Hostel Number 5 following a complaint by a research scholar alleging caste-based discrimination.
The university has initiated an inquiry into the matter, while the hostel’s charge has been handed over to Harbhinder Singh, warden of Boys Hostel Number 1, as an additional responsibility.
The action came after research scholar Shishpal, who had been protesting outside the hostel over the issue, met with PU’s Dean Students’ Welfare (DSW) Amit Chauhan on Monday.
Chauhan, a member of the committee looking into the matter, stated, “An inquiry into the allegations is ongoing, but it was decided to relieve Sehrawat of his duties as hostel warden.”
Meanwhile, Sehrawat has reportedly filed a counter-complaint against Shishpal with PU’s SC/ST cell. Despite multiple attempts, he was unavailable for comment on Tuesday.
The allegations against Sehrawat were enclosed in a letter sent by the DSW to the SC/ST cell. In his complaint, Shishpal alleged that Sehrawat not only made casteist remarks but also took signatures from hostel cleaners and workers on a blank paper to allegedly fabricate a complaint against him.
He further accused the warden of discriminating against residents based on caste and intimidating students and scholars.
The university is currently conducting a formal inquiry to examine the claims from both sides.