This statement is being issued in light of the allegations of sexual harassment that have been levelled against Asang Wankhede, one of our founding members by students of School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).
At the outset, we would like to make it clear that Ambedkar Periyar Phule Study Circle (APPSC) stands for the ideals of justice and equality. Such alleged behaviour does not represent the group in any way. Such behavior is completely against the objectives and vision for which the group stands. We as a group would like to publicly declare that we completely dissociate ourselves from the said individual and his actions. APPSC is a group run by the current students of National Law University Delhi and would like to clarify that no alumni is a member of the group and neither does one’s actions represent the group in anyway.
We understand that since the alleged individual was one of our founding members, there are a lot of questions as to our stand on this matter. We would like to emphasize that the actions of the individual do not reflect the group, its principles and ideologies. The Ambedkar Periyar Phule Study Circle as a group unequivocally disapproves and condemns all such behavior and actions. This is a matter of deep distress for all of us that the women who have made the testimonies had to go through such harrowing experience.
We stand in complete solidarity with them and shall strive towards promoting an environment where individuals can share safe space regardless of their caste, creed, gender, race or any other difference; while inculcating the virtue of respecting the dignity of every human being.
Jai Bhim
Jai Savitri
Regards,
APPSC