THIS is with reference to the letter ‘Faculty harassment’ (July 9). It is with immense pain and anguish that I wish to narrate my torrid experience about the harsh and apathetic atmosphere that is prevailing at the University of Punjab in Lahore.

My daughter, a student of MS Clinical Psychology programme was harassed, humiliated and intimidated by a senior faculty member to such a grave extent that she suffered convulsive episodes. Moreover, the unbearable distress caused disillusion- ment, as her self-esteem, confidence and self-belief were badly shaken. When she finally picked up the courage to confront the ruthless teacher about the possible reasons for the latter’s acrid behaviour directed singularly against her, she was brutally snubbed and emotionally persecuted.

Ironically, in the so-called Department of Psychology, this simple gesture of the student infuriated the ‘all-powerful’ teacher, who viewed it in an egoistic negative perspective, triggering a personal vendetta.

A collusive scheme was purportedly orchestrated in the department to ‘teach’ my daughter a ‘lesson’. She was unlawfully and unjustifiably dropped from the university rolls, using the bogey of an indigenously crafted, flawed attendance record, and some skewed interpretation of certain rules.

I strongly feel that, in its endeavour to settle the score and make an example of the student who dared to speak up, the university administration is bent on ruining her educational dreams. Given an opportunity, I will personally prove the authenticity of these assertions with incontrovertible and irrefutable evidence.

We, the aggrieved parents, have since then been running from pillar to post to seek justice, but to no avail. The university authorities, including the vice-chancellor and director of the Institute of Applied Psychology, have both stubbornly declined even to grant us an audience.

In the wake of the above sad and rather frustrating circumstances, I appeal to all concerned, especially, the governor of Punjab, who happens to be chancellor of the university, to come forward and save the educational career of our daughter.

Besides, a serious action should be taken against the university’s vicious organisational culture to rescue scores of other haplessly suffering students from the clutches of an insensitive teachers’ mafia at this prestigious seat of learning.

Abid Hameed Chughtai
Lahore

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2024