AASU general secretary Shankar Jyoti Baruah quits

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 12, 2024

All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) general secretary Shankar Jyoti Baruah resigned from his post following a controversy over his relationship with a student of Gauhati University.

Baruah announced his decision to step down in a post on Facebook on Thursday.

“I would like to inform you that recently there has been a controversy regarding us on the holy floor of All Assam Student Union. Even though the truth of this controversy will be proved in the court, I want to inform personally that I have self-willingly accepted from the holy floor of All Assam Student Union as general secretary. I will send my release letter to the central committee shortly. I will be grateful to everyone for your support and cooperation till this moment. Thank you,” Baruah said in his post.

Baruah said his decision to step down as a general secretary is a completely personal decision.

Baruah has been accused of mental and sexual harassment by a law student, leading to a formal complaint being filed against him at Bhangagarh Police Station on September 6. Since the incident occurred within the jurisdiction of Dispur Police Station, the case was transferred there. On September 7, Baruah secured anticipatory bail.

The police have registered a case against Baruah under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Section 376 (rape), Section 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), Section 506 (criminal intimidation), and other relevant provisions. According to the FIR, the complainant alleged that Baruah had engaged in a physical relationship with her under the false promise of marriage.

The accusation brought massive discussions, and the issue was taken seriously by the central leadership of AASU, who asked Baruah to step down on his own.

Baruah has confessed to having a relationship with the student in the past, but said it ended six months ago. He has also secured anticipatory bail in anticipation of the case filed against him.

On Tuesday, AASU chief advisor Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharya had announced that Baruah had been advised to either take leave or step down from his position as general secretary in light of the allegations.