Demand for independent probe against Governor

SHILLONG: A day after Governor V. Shanmuganathan denied the allegations of molesting a job aspirant, the Thma U Rangli-Juki (TUR) called for an independent inquiry into the incident and said it would approach the President’s office in this matter.
The group said as per the Sexual Harassment Act, 2013, ‘sexual harassment’ is defined as “any physical contact and advances, or a demand or request for sexual favours, or making sexually coloured remarks, or showing pornography, or any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature”.
“At a time when sexual harassment at workplaces is a frightening reality, we cannot brush aside allegations of inappropriate behaviour as being gestures of friendliness and expressions of innocent affection,” TUR said.
TUR pointed out that this particular case raises serious questions about the office of Raj Bhavan and the procedures and processes regarding job vacancies, selection of candidates and manner of appointments.  “We demand transparency and accountability and an independent audit of these appointments,” it added.
The NGO also urged citizens to speak out against any form of sexual harassment, whether in personal life or a witness to it, “as this is a grave violation of human and fundamental rights”.
“There is nothing to be afraid of as India is a republic that bestows supreme power on its citizens and no high office has been given the right to trample on the Constitution,” the group said.