PUDUCHERRY: Tension prevails at Pondicherry University after police lathicharged and used force to disperse students who staged a demonstration in the early hours of Friday. They were demanding the immediate suspension of faculty members on Karaikal and Puducherry campuses accused of sexually harassing research scholars and students.The students were also demanding the immediate reconstitution of an internal complaints committee (ICC) in accordance with UGC’s sexual harassment of women employees and students in higher educational institutions regulations to address complaints in a fair and effective manner. They alleged that the present ICC is a failure and has been influenced by external forces to protect the perpetrators of the crime.A team from Kalapet police station, upon reaching the university premises, resorted to lathicharging the students, numbering around 200. They kicked and slapped them before dragging a section of protesters to the police van. Police detained 24 students, including six girl students, for inquiries. Police booked them under four different sections of BNS and began investigations.It all began when the students launched a protest around noon on Thursday, demanding the university suspend the teaching faculty members on Puducherry and Karaikal campuses accused of sexually harassing female students. They marched towards the administrative block and gheraoed the block, demanding an audience with vice-chancellor P Prakash Babu and registrar (in-charge) Rajneesh Bhutani.After eight hours of protest, the VC and registrar (in-charge) managed to slip away, and dean (students’ welfare) Yedla Venkata Rao approached the students and attempted to pacify them, but in vain. Puducherry SFI secretary C Praveen Kumar said a thorough probe might unfold a Pollachi-like sex scandal in Pondicherry University.“A girl student, in a WhatsApp audio sent to her senior, accused a professor on the Karaikal campus of demanding her to send nude photos or face detention in internal examinations. She said more than 20 to 30 female students have been harassed by the professor in a similar manner, and the students have been suffering silently,” said Praveen while quoting her.Meanwhile, the students on Friday undertook a rally demanding the immediate release of the arrested students. A release from Pondicherry University said a few students held a protest rally in connection with alleged sexual harassment issues and the functioning of the ICC. The dean (students’ welfare) assured them of addressing all the issues, but the students reorganised and resumed their agitation, leading to the intervention of the police.SFI has decided to intensify the protest until the students’ genuine demands, including the suspension of faculty members accused of sexual harassment, are fulfilled. The National Students Union of India (NSUI) condemned the university and police for using force against the students. In a statement, NSUI Pondicherry University unit said the police action was a direct violation of students’ rights and democratic principles. Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) said the incident, which involved brutality and detention of students, reflects the complete failure of Pondicherry University administration in handling student issues through dialogue and mutual respect.