A Hindu professor at the Political Science Department of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has accused Dean Prof. Mohammad Nafis Ahmad Ansari of harassment. In a shocking disclosure, Senior Professor Rachana Kaushal said that she has been facing harassment for the past 27 years because she is a Hindu. She said that Professor Ansari had been pressuring her to resign from the AMU and join the Banaras Hindu University (BHU).
Professor Kaushal has reportedly submitted a formal complaint to the Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof. Naima Khatun, along with audio recordings and documents. An investigation into the matter has now been initiated. She also intends to file an FIR. As per reports, Professor Kaushal’s harassment began soon after she joined AMU in 1988. “Discrimination and mental harassment started shortly after my appointment. I never thought that my religious identity would be used against me in a central university,” Professor Kaushal said.
The professor said that she continued to work with dedication despite facing several personal difficulties. She revealed that due to the mental pressure endured by her at the AMU, she had a miscarriage in 2004. In 2012, her husband, Dr D.K. Pandey, a senior professor at JN Medical College, AMU, passed away.
Professor Kaushal said that Professor Ansari falsely alleged that Hindu teachers at the university discriminate against Muslim students and avoid teaching them. “Such comments are personally insulting and undermine the secular values of the university,” she said. Professor Kaushal accused the Dean of actively trying to mar her professional reputation.
She cited an incident to show the pressure tactics used by Professor Ansari against her. She said that in May 2025, she was in the US to attend her daughter’s convocation. A meeting of the Board of Studies (BoS) was held at that time, and the agenda of the meeting was sent late to her. Besides, she was not provided with the link to join the meeting online. Professor Kaushal further said that despite being a statutory member of the BoS with seniority and expertise, she was denied the role of coordinator in the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) human rights training program. The role was instead given to a junior teacher with no prior experience.
Moreover, Professor Kaushal said that Professor Ansari had been questioning the validity of her appointment. She accused him of creating an environment of stress, fear, and communal tension in the department. “I have many Muslim colleagues and friends, but the Dean is creating a communal divide. My appointment and conduct have all valid documentation, while the Dean’s own appointment as professor is irregular,” Professor Kaushal said.
She said that out of malice against her, Professor Ansari blocked her promotion in 2015. “In 2015, a selection committee declared me ineligible despite my qualifications, while others less qualified were promoted. When complaints to the administration failed, I had to approach the High Court. Only after the court’s intervention was my promotion granted,” she disclosed.
Professor Kaushal said that she met the VC in September 2025 with her complaint and evidence, but no action was taken. “The Dean continues to make accusations, and copies of these are not provided. Now, legal action is the only option left. I will soon file an FIR and publicly expose the matter,” she added. She has demanded a fair investigation into the matter and the removal of Professor Ansari as the Head of Department/Dean. Professor Ansari has, however, denied all the allegations against him, calling them baseless.
