In a rather shocking turn of events that have come to light, several students and alumni of Padma Sheshadri Bala Bhavan School at Chennai's KK Nagar have accused one of their teachers, Rajagoplan, of advances, including sexual harassment by making untoward remarks at them. Social media on Monday was flooded with a strong opposition as many have voiced their views against the Accountancy and Business Studies teacher in the prestigious school. In their allegations, a number of students have stated that Rajagopalan has interacted with them with sexual intent as many have shared their distressing experiences anonymously.
Statement by Alumnus of PSBB earlier. pic.twitter.com/xjfAFuF6Cf
— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) May 24, 2021
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The alumni has stated that Rajagopalan had inappropriately touched a girl during classes and often made awkward and untoward remarks that were sexual in nature. They alleged that he used to comment on their bodies and their character in the class, while also stating that he had come to one of the online classes wearing only a towel during the lockdown period. The alumni have further accused Rajagopalan of sending messages to female students on WhatsApp, including making comments about their pictures and clothes. Many students have also levelled accusations against the school management and staff of turning a blind eye to Rajagopalan's actions and have labelled them as being casteist. They have said that they had sent a letter to the school's dean demanding for the suspension of the teacher including an inquiry, but no action had been taken. Below are screenshots of several students informing Rajagopalan's actions:
#ShameonPSBB for protecting this predator. Attaching a few screenshots from the stories. pic.twitter.com/jdOWl5TtW8
— Nivetha Sekar (@NivethaSekar10) May 23, 2021
#TW :
Sexual Harassment.
Attaching the screenshots of victims & the conversation. It's the commerce teacher & PT teacher of #PSBB School. And so many more. @tnpoliceoffl @chennaipolice_ pic.twitter.com/4lzmqLrwac— Dhivya Marunthiah (@DhivCM) May 23, 2021
Sad that Schools aren’t safe for the students. The trauma these girls went trough at this age is unforgivable. Please take necessary action on these predators @Anbil_Mahesh #PSBB pic.twitter.com/VPSYDMsLhs
— ஜெயஶ்ரீ மதிமாறன் (@JayashreeRD) May 24, 2021
Arrest this guy #PSBB pic.twitter.com/QR7NpqVV6C
— Dr Strange Doom (@DrStrangeDoomYT) May 24, 2021
As the controversy began gaining steam, the PSBB School in KK Nagar, Chennai, on Monday issued a press release addressing the student allegations against the teacher's inappropriate behaviour. In their statement, the reputed school has denied any of the complaints being made to them and made an appeal to all to wait for the outcome upon the ongoing investigation. Below is the official statement released by PSBB, KK Nagar, Chennai:
"Dear Sir,
Greetings!
It has come to our notice that certain allegations have been made against a teacher of our KK Nagar school in social media posts which was brought to our notice only on the night of 23 /05/ 21.
We would like to make it clear that our school has always had a zero tolerance against any behaviour that adversely affects the physical, emotional and psychological well being of our students.
Contrary to what is mentioned in the social media posts the management has not come across any such complaints in the past.
We are deeply concerned about the information that has surfaced from last night. As a law abiding, student centric institution, we are taking suo motu notice of the allegations and are initiating all necessary steps to address the situation in a free, fair and transparent manner and as required by law.
We appeal to all concerned to await the outcome of the investigation and desist from undermining the reputation of the school.
The welfare of our students will always be our top priority. Stay Safe. Stay Healthy."
PSBB K K NAGAR SCHOOL IN CHENNAI SAYS ITS ADDRESSING STUDENT ALLEGATIONS AGAINST A TEACHER'S INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOUR
— J Sam Daniel Stalin (@jsamdaniel) May 24, 2021
THE SCHOOL DENIES IT WAS AWARE OF COMPLAINTS; SAYS IT HAS ZERO TOLERANCE AGAINST ADVERSE BEHAVIOUR
APPEALS TO ALL CONCERNED TO AWAIT OUTCOME OF INVESTIGATION pic.twitter.com/5sDmTeY5CR
Many notable personalities in Tamil Nadu, including politicians and personalities have taken to social media to express their opinions at the shocking incident. Reacting to the controversy, Kanimozhi, Member of Parliament and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Women's Wing Secretary tweeted, "The sexual harassment allegations against a commerce teacher in PSBB School,Chennai has been shocking. Inquiry should be conducted and action must be taken against those who are involved including school authorities who failed to act against the complaints from students.I promise to take this to the concerned authorities."
The sexual harassment allegations against a commerce teacher in PSBB School,Chennai has been shocking. Inquiry should be conducted and action must be taken against those who are involved including school authorities who failed to act against the complaints from students. (1/3)
— Kanimozhi (கனிமொழி) (@KanimozhiDMK) May 24, 2021
அதை கண்டுகொள்ளாத பள்ளி நிர்வாகத்தின் மீதும் உடனடியாக நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கவேண்டும். இதை சம்பந்தப்பட்ட அதிகாரிகளிடம் கொண்டு செல்வேன் என்று உறுதியளிக்கிறேன். (3/3)https://t.co/xYLPEXM2ux
— Kanimozhi (கனிமொழி) (@KanimozhiDMK) May 24, 2021
Likewise, Dayanidhi Maran, Member of Parliament and DMK High Level Steering Committee Member wrote, "As a parent, I'm extremely horrified by the reports of sexual harassment by a teacher in #PadmaSeshadriBalaBhavan school, Chennai. It's of utmost importance to ensure a probe into the matter & accountability from the management to provide a safe environment for the children #PSBB."
As a parent, I'm extremely horrified by the reports of sexual harassment by a teacher in #PadmaSeshadriBalaBhavan school, Chennai. It's of utmost importance to ensure a probe into the matter & accountability from the management to provide a safe environment for the children #PSBB
— Dayanidhi Maran தயாநிதி மாறன் (@Dayanidhi_Maran) May 24, 2021
Celebrities too voiced their anger with singer Chinmayi tweeting, "I have been asked to share this. A staff member PSBB KK Nagar Branch and the screenshots of him coming in a towel wrapped around his waist to class (!!) to watching porn in class. Model Kripali Samdaria has collated all accounts on Instagram here. (@__kripali on Instagram)" She added, "TBH - There are several such teachers that students speak of in Schools and Colleges, being inappropiate, sending lewd messages, inappropriate jokes and the management just not keeping up with the concept that all this is not acceptable anymore."
TBH - There are several such teachers that students speak of in Schools and Colleges, being inappropiate, sending lewd messages, inappropriate jokes and the management just not keeping up with the concept that all this is not acceptable anymore.
— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) May 23, 2021
Bigil producer Archana Kalpathi too voiced her anguish at the incidents and wrote, "Sexual harassment cannot be normalised It was heartbreaking to see stories about this commerce teacher in #PSBB As alumni we have to amplify so it reaches the right people to take severe action This is not Ok !Love and hugs to all the brave girls who have shared their stories."
Sexual harassment cannot be normalised It was heartbreaking to see stories about this commerce teacher in #PSBB As alumni we have to amplify so it reaches the right people to take severe action This is not Ok !Love and hugs to all the brave girls who have shared their stories ♥️
— Archana Kalpathi (@archanakalpathi) May 24, 2021
Similarly, Lakshmi short film and Karnan actress Lakshmi Priyaa Chandramouli tweeted, "Oh, come on now!!! How can the school not be aware of this kind of behaviour that has been happening for decades!! Request and trust that the relevant authorities WILL take appropriate action on Rajagopalan and the school!! #PSBB."
Oh, come on now!!! How can the school not be aware of this kind of behaviour that has been happening for decades!! Request and trust that the relevant authorities WILL take appropriate action on Rajagopalan and the school!!#PSBB pic.twitter.com/lYwLyOSaXP
— Lakshmi Priyaa Chandramouli (@LakshmiPriyaaC) May 24, 2021
