CHENNAI: An audio clip exposing a Tamil Nadu professor's attempt to push female students into sex work has sent shockwaves across the state. In a clip of a telephonic conversation that lasts for around 19 minutes, Nirmala Devi, an assistant professor associated with the Mathematics Department of the Devanga Arts College in Virudhunagar, is heard telling the women about an “opportunity” has come their way.
She is heard telling them what they are expected to do certain things “secretly” for a very senior official of the Madurai Kamaraj University to which the college is affiliated. “On the academic side, I can take the four of you to a big level, i can assure you that. He is that big an official. I will make sure that your marks are not affected. You will get financial support and academic support also. I don't know if you will tell your parents or not. We will open an account for you and will put money for you,” she said. When asked to elaborate by the students, she said, “In order to finish some things successfully, they are expecting college students. Till now, I have not gone down to that level. I can only say so much. I believe you will understand what they expect. If you accept this scheme, MKU will be your backbone.”
Nirmala further threatens them by saying that if the news were to come out, the girls will be subjected to negative comments. When the girls repeatedly reject the offer, the professor offers them part time jobs as well. She even claims to have access to the “Governor” at one point, and still when the students continue to reject her offer, she finally says, “I am going to the next level. I just wanted to take you with me.”
College authorities have admitted that the four students approached them with a complaint against Nirmala on March 19. Principal-in-charge of the college, Ramasamy said, “We took down the report and immediately contacted the professor. She was away for some course but she was made to come back to college immediately. We then suspended her and she remains suspended till now. We don't know who exactly the higher authorities she is referring to is. We have to check the veracity of the complaint. She has to reply to the allegations and then an investigative committee will be initiated.”
