SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Aug 8: The suicide attempt of a history department teacher in SSLNT Women’s College has triggered a new row in Binod Bihari Mahto Koylanchal University (BBMKU) Dhanbad.
Rattled by the allegation of the victim teacher, SSLNT Women’s College principal Dr Sharmila Rani has reportedly informed the Raj Bhawan about the incident and sought protection.
History department teacher Dr Veena Sharma on August 5 tried to hang herself with the ceiling fan of the chamber in the college and was rescued by teachers and staff after breaking the door of the room. Dr Sharma alleged that she decided to commit suicide after principal Dr Sharmila Rani tortured her.
Both the victim teacher and the principal have already submitted their written statement to the university about the incident.
Dean of Students Welfare (DSW) Dr SK Sinha told media persons that after the arrival of the Vice-Chancellor, (Dr Sukhdeo Bhoi) a probe committee would be set up.
For the last one month, the Vice-Chancellor and SSLNT Women’s College principal Dr Sharmila Rani have been on confronting course following the transfer of Dr Sharmila Rani to BSK College Maithon.
The University in July reshuffled principals of four colleges, including SSLNT Women’s College principal Dr Sharmila Rani. But she refused to hand over the charge and got a stay on the transfer from the Raj Bhawan defying the order of the university.
Sources said she had a strong support of a senior IAS officer in Ranchi who shields and supports her in the fight with the university management. Sources said due to an ongoing ego clash with the university authorities, Dr Sharmila Rani a few days ago sent a request letter to Raj Bhawan for her transfer to Ranchi again.
Dr Sharmila Rani was a teacher in the chemistry department of Ranchi Women’s College. In 2017, she was selected as principal through commission and posted at Giridih Women’s College under Vinoba Bhave University (VBU) Hazaribagh.
In 2018, when Sindri College principal Dr Kamta Singh retired, Dr Sharmila Rani got her transfer to Sindri College as principal from VBU Hazaribagh to BBMKU Dhanbad. In 2020, she got her transfer to SSLNT Women’s College Dhanbad when the then principal Dr Renu Thakur returned to her parent college in Ranchi.
The teachers of BBMKU are shocked and surprised over a suicide attempt by a woman teacher in the chamber of her college. “ I have never seen such type of incident since 1978. It is a grievous matter. Both the University and the teachers’ body should take cognizance of it,” said the professor who retired a few years ago.
Another senior teacher said that Dr Sharmila Rani has violated the norm by directly seeking security from Raj Bhawan surpassing the Vice-Chancellor. He said she should have gone through the V-C. He further added that she had the support of an IAS officer in Ranchi and in his name, she shows supremacy over other teachers in college which resulted in the suicide attempt by a faculty member.
