Female professor 'marries' her student in classroom; probe launched
What's the story
A senior professor at Haringhata Technology College, a constituent of the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology (MAKAUT) in West Bengal's Nadia district, is under investigation after a video of her "marrying" a first-year student in a classroom went viral.
The video shows Professor Payal Banerjee dressed as a bride and performing traditional Bengali Hindu wedding rituals with the student.
MAKAUT has since launched an inquiry and constituted a three-member panel to investigate the incident.
Class suspension
Professor and student barred from classes amid investigation
Both Banerjee and the student in question have been asked to stay away from classes till the probe is completed.
MAKAUT's officiating vice-chancellor Tapas Chakraborty said Banerjee has clarified this incident was a part of a demonstration of her subject matter and that it was "purely an academic project."
He added that "the videos were not for external circulation."
Defense statement
Professor claims mock wedding was an academic exercise
Defending her actions, Banerjee said the event was a psychodrama demonstration for her class and there was no impropriety or immoral conduct involved.
She claims a colleague leaked the videos to tarnish her and the Psychology Department's reputation.
Banerjee further explained her students had conceptualized this mock wedding as part of a freshers' welcome event.
She has even threatened to sue a "jealous colleague" for releasing the clip without context to defame her.
Committee formation
Inquiry committee to determine necessary disciplinary action
"I have already initiated a legal process against attempts to malign me. I even identified the person who did it," she said.
Regardless, Banerjee has been asked to go on leave.
The inquiry committee, which consists of three female faculty members from different departments, will determine if any disciplinary action is necessary.
The student, who was involved in this incident, has also been asked to not join classes until the probe is completed.