Ali Zafar is also speaking out on the misuse of the #MeToo movement after a lecturer of Government MAO College Lahore allegedly committed suicide due to false harassment allegations.
A false sexual harassment complaint was filed against the MAO College lecturer Muhammad Afzal, with the college’s sexual harassment inquiry committee. Following the investigation, the inquiry committee found the lecturer innocent and the accusations unfounded.
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Muhammad Afzal Mehmood, a lecturer of English Literature, was accused of harassment by some students. Despite his name being cleared, the rumors prevailed and the lecturer allegedly committed suicide due to the accusations that maligned his rapport.
“Mr Afzal, Lecturer at Govt MAO College Lahore commits suicide after false harassment allegations. Leaves a suicide note as his wife leaves him & his reputation tarnished. How many will speak up for him now? How many will speak up against the misuse of #Metoo. Who is responsible?”
Ali Zafar took this incident as an opportunity to speak about the misuse of anti-harassment mechanisms and the #MeToo movement.
Mr Afzal, Lecturer at Govt MAO College Lahore commits suicide after false harassment allegations. Leaves a suicide note as his wife leaves him & his reputation tarnished. How many will speak up for him now? How many will speak up against the misuse of #Metoo. Who is responsible? pic.twitter.com/WnWSyZyBOQ
— Ali Zafar (@AliZafarsays) October 19, 2019
Despite the inquiry committee’s findings college authorities failed to formally clear Afzal’s name by not issuing him a letter of exoneration.
The college administration stalling the matter is what fuelled Muhammad Afzal’s turmoil as his wife was in the process of leaving him. In his suicide note, the teacher asked the police not to probe the matter.
“I leave this matter in the court of Allah. The police are requested not to investigate and bother anybody”.
College authorities confirmed after the complaint was filed against Muhammad Afzal, he was asked to appear before the harassment inquiry committee on July 8, 2019.
According to one of the inquiry officer’s Dr. Alia Rehman said the proceedings were completed on July 13. Subsequently, the inquiry committee submitted their report to the principal’s office.
Under the ‘Protection Against Harassment of Women in the Workplace‘ law. The authorities, in this case, the principal was supposed to sign-off Muhammad Afzal’s vindication.
“However, Afzal insisted that he be issued an exoneration letter since he had absolutely nothing to show for his innocence,”
While the MAO College lecturer was verbally informed that he had been cleared of the charge, he wasn’t issued an exoneration letter. He had even reached out to Dr. Alia Rehman asking her to assist in the matter.
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Inquiry officer Dr. Aalia Rehman dubbed the allegations ‘flimsy to say the least’ and did not warrant official proceedings.
The Inquiry Committee carried out a small-scale inquiry and the accusations were unfounded, vindicating Muhammad Afzal.
“A Mass Com student submitted an application against Afzal which stated that his conduct with female students was inappropriate. The student said that the professor was in the habit of making suggestive remarks and gestures which made female students uncomfortable, … We found that Afzal had turned down the girl’s request to improve her marks which led her to write an application accusing him of harassment,” .
via Dunya News
