Co-author of TISS report on ‘illegal’ Bangladeshi, Rohingya migrants under scanner for harassment, abuse

MUMBAI: The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) administration has sought a probe into allegations of sexual harassment filed by a student against one of the teachers, who was involved in a recent study on the socio-political impact of ‘illegal’ Bangladeshis and Rohingya in Mumbai.

Souvik Mondal, an assistant professor at the premier institute’s School of Health System Studies and convener of the Centre for Excellence in CSR (CECSR), has been accused of persistently “toxic" behaviour, which included passing inappropriate comments, trying to enter the residence of the female student and threatening her for speaking up. The complainant has also claimed that the faculty member has an intimidating presence on the campus, alleging regular misconduct with women, administrative mismanagement and academic incompetence.

The institute has referred the grievance to its Internal Committee for Redress of Sexual Harassment. “We have asked [the committee] to conduct an inquiry quickly and terminate this person,” said an official.

Mondal has refuted the allegations and said that he resigned from the institute on Friday. He also denied being summoned by the Harassment Committee. “The allegations presented against me are misleading, factually incorrect, and aimed at maligning my professional and personal integrity,” he told Careers360.

Incidentally, Mondal was one of the two researchers – TISS pro vice chancellor and dean of the health system studies school being the other – who had produced an ‘interim’ report on the presence of ‘illegal’ migrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar in Mumbai.

Released in November last year, days before the Maharashtra assembly election, the research was widely panned for its faulty methodology and data inconsistencies. It was regarded as an attempt to polarise the electorate ahead of the crucial polls and vilify marginalised communities.

TISS Mumbai: Teacher caused ‘severe disruption’

The student said in her complaint that Mondal, who had joined TISS a year ago and is pursuing PhD at the University of Mumbai (MU), kept asking personal questions and made inappropriate comments despite her discomfort. In addition to a “sexual coercion” attempt, the teacher also allegedly insisted on entering the woman’s rented apartment, even as she resisted. He finally threatened the student of dire consequences if she complained against him, says the letter sent to the varsity authorities and central government officials.

“Being alone in Mumbai, far from family and familiar support systems, has made me an easy target. Mr. Mondal, emboldened by his unchecked power, preys on this vulnerability, making the campus an unsafe and mentally exhausting space,” says the complaint.

The student wrote that Mondal’s hostile behaviour has caused “severe disruption” within the institution and undermined its academic and ethical standards. Among a litany of charges, Mondal is accused of frequently boasting about having clout among government officials, Rashtriya Swayamseval Sangh (RSS) leaders and university authorities.

The complaint also notes that treats the CECSR office space as a personal recreational room for social gatherings with friends, undermining the “sanctity of institutional resources”.

TISS Teacher: Suspension and investigation

The student has asked for immediate suspension and investigation into Mondal and the “toxic environment” he allegedly created at TISS Mumbai. Calling for strict measures to ensure the safety of female students, the survivor has also demanded an anonymous grievance redress mechanism and mental health support for the victims.

In his response, Mondal said that the claims appear to be an attempt to tarnish his reputation. “I have always maintained a professional and respectful environment in my classroom. I never engaged in any inappropriate behaviour”, he said.

He also asserted adhering to institutional protocols and maintaining the “highest standards” of professionalism. He points out that the hiring process at CECSR followed institutional norms.

“Any claims regarding my unauthorized use of office space or overnight stays are false and can be independently verified through official security records and surveillance footage. My presence in the office beyond working hours was strictly related to official responsibilities,” reads his response.

The teacher rejected the allegations of intimidation. “I have maintained a professional and ethical approach in all my engagements with students and colleagues. My interactions with students at TISS were limited to academic discussions and project-related matters,” he said.

This is not the first time Mondal has faced such allegations. Around a year ago, the husband of a faculty member at the nearby International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) had written a complaint letter to the union ministry of health and family welfare, which governs the institute, alleging harassment and intimidation. The teacher is yet to get a response.

However, Mondal has denied those charges too. “A fact-finding committee was established at IIPS, Mumbai, to investigate the matter, and I have yet to receive any official communication regarding any adverse findings against me. My intent has always been to address concerns regarding transparency and fairness,” he said.

Also read ‘Government doesn’t want dissent’: TISS has suspended students’ unions at 3 campuses

The grievance comes in the backdrop of the central government taking over the reins of the deemed-to-be university from the Tata Group, who had set up and managed the institute since 1936. The union education minister now holds the post of chairman of the TISS Society, which facilitates the functioning of the institute. Until now, the post belonged to a representative from Tata Trusts. The number of Tata representatives in the TISS Society has also been brought down from two to one.

Last year, the institute got former University Grants Commission (UGC) chairman DP Singh as its first chancellor. However, TISS has been working without a full-time vice chancellor since Shalini Bharat's term as the head of the institute ended in September 2024. Last month, a search-cum-selection committee interviewed 10 candidates for the post, but no appointment has been made so far.