Dr Preeti Ramadoss, a person who had experienced a similar ordeal at the university, lauded the survivor's courage for steeping forward against the perpetrator who sexually assaulted her.
Published Dec 29, 2024 | 3:07 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 30, 2024 | 8:54 AM
Anna University.
The recent incident of sexual assault of a female student at Chennai’s Anna University has sparked significant outrage and political debate highlighting the need to maintain educational institutes as a safe space.
A 19-year-old female student was allegedly sexually assaulted on the campus by a 37-year-old man, Gnanasekaran, who reportedly has ties to the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu.
Dr Preeti Ramadoss, a person who had experienced a similar ordeal at the university, lauded the survivor’s courage for stepping forward against the perpetrator who sexually assaulted her.
She noted a strong possibility that the institution might attempt to make the survivor change her mind about the complaint in an effort to silence her regarding this issue.
Dr Preethi urged the university and other authorities concerned to aid the survivor in her fight for justice.
“It is incredibly brave of her to step forward in such a challenging environment. Having experienced similar struggles, I understand how intimidating it is to fight against an institution’s power structure,” Dr Preethi told South First.
She urged the administration and has been voicing out on social media to ensure that justice is served, not just for the survivor but as a step toward building a safer space for all students.
Dr Preethi believes that educational institutions must move beyond performative policies and cultivate a culture where survivors are supported, and perpetrators are held accountable without hesitation.
“This moment is crucial, not just for the victim but for the future of all students who deserve to feel safe,” she emphasised.
Dr Preethi’s solidarity with the survivor stems from her harrowing experience at Anna University. In 2015, as a PhD scholar at the Crystal Growth Centre of the university, Dr Preethi filed a molestation complaint against another PhD scholar Bagwath Sanju. She pursued PhD at the university between 2015 and 2020
However, instead of receiving the justice and support she sought, she encountered a system that actively worked to silence her.
A classic example of celebrating the abuser and neglecting the victim! This particular university only does this!
— Dr. Preethi Ramadoss (@RamadossPreethi) December 27, 2024
“The administration asked me to drop the molestation complaint and shifted the focus to an unrelated animal abuse incident I had also reported. It was their way of diverting attention and dismissing my case,” she said.
She said despite submitting written complaints with the support of her mother, no action was taken against her abuser.
Adding to her ordeal were anonymous letters sent to her home, threatening her into silence.
“Those letters were an attempt to intimidate me and my family, making us question whether pursuing justice was worth it,” she recounted.
Dr Preethi faced professional retaliation for her courage. Her abuser, Bagwath Sanju, continued to thrive within the institution and his patents were put on the billboards.
In stark contrast, Dr Preethi’s groundbreaking work and the patents she obtained did not receive any recognition.
Later, her case reached the National Commission for Women (NCW), and the Greater Chennai Police filed action reports in 2021 and 2022. The NCW’s case file 8/C210015446/2021/NCW/SK/SAK recorded her plea for justice and accountability.
Despite repeated requests, the university administration failed to take meaningful action against the accused. A police report from 2022 revealed that the counter-petitioner, Professor Moorthy Baby, denied her access to her lab unless approved by university authorities.
The report stated that Dr Preethi was allowed to retrieve her property from the lab but was obstructed from continuing her research. She declared her intention to seek legal recourse to resume her academic pursuits.
“My patents and research articles were ignored, while his were celebrated. It felt extremely hard to deal with this, a reminder of how the system sides with abusers,” she said. Her lab was eventually shut down, cutting her off from critical samples that could have significantly advanced her career.
“If I had access to those samples, I could have gone much further in my field. Instead, I was left with nothing but shattered dreams and the task of starting over,” she said.
One of the most disheartening aspects of Dr Preethi’s experience was the lack of support from the university’s PoSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) cell.
According to her, PoSH cell member Shanthi discouraged her from pursuing the complaint, and said, “This is your peak. Don’t ruin your career by complaining.”
To make matters worse, no female staff members stepped forward to support her.
“I expected at least some solidarity from women in the institution, but I was met with silence. It was isolating and heartbreaking,” she said.
Despite the odds, Dr Preethi refused to let her experiences define her future. Today, she is the founder and CEO of Manithee, a brand specialising in herbal skin and haircare products. Her journey from victim to entrepreneur is a testament to her resilience and determination.
Dr Preethi’s story is a reminder of the systemic failures that continue to plague academic institutions. Her journey underscores the immediate need for cultural and structural reforms to protect sexual assault survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.
“We need to create an environment where students feel safe and supported. Justice should never be optional, and silencing victims must end,” she asserted.
She also urged parents to be as strong as hers to understand that dealing with issues like this has nothing to do with the abuse. She said, “I was awarded the Puthiya Thalamurai Tamilan Award and I’m an achiever regardless of this bitter incident.”
With Anna University facing yet another molestation complaint, several social activists highlighted that it was an opportunity for its administration to break the cycle of neglect and indifference.
Dr Preethi’s story is a clarion call for change, justice, and the empowerment of survivors everywhere.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
