The sexual “strength” of the blind became the centre of debate at Punjab University on Friday, after blind students accused Special Education Department Head Dr Humaira Bano of warning female students of keeping distance from their blind male class fellows over their alleged “sexual strength,” Pakistan Today has learnt.
During a lecture, Bano allegedly told female students to strictly avoid shaking hands with fellow male students, who were “sexually stronger than normal males” and “untoward” incidents might result from it. The statement caused alarm amongst blind male students, who condemned Bano for her discriminatory remarks and complained to PU Vice Chancellor Mujahid Kamran against the alleged remarks on Friday. The VC promised stern action against Dr Humaira Bano. Blind students, enrolled at the PU Special Education Department, felt hurt after the statement by their department head, who had told female students to “not hold the hands of blind male students when guiding them”. Blind students often need help when walking, or doing other chores.
Sources said a delegation of blind students, under Kamal Lodhi, called on Dr Kamran at his office committee room to discuss the matter. Students told the VC that Dr Bano’s remarks had disheartened them and complained of her condescending attitude towards them. Upon hearing the complaint, the VC condemned Dr Bano on issuing the statement and promised action against the department head. The meeting was also attended by PU Registrar Prof Dr Muhammad Akhtar, Controller Examinations Prof Dr Liaqat Ali, Treasurer Dr Uzma Ikram and Advisor to VC Col (r) Ikramullah.
The Special Education Department, one of the 73 departments in PU, was set up for educating students about disabilities and offers education in a number of disciplines. Both normal and disabled students are educated in the training of special students, including deaf, dumb, blind and lame students. The PU administration and Punjab government pays special attention to the department, however the department is yet to appoint a Student Welfare Chairman, who would have been the first point at which the blind students would have sought redressal of complaint.
Speaking to Pakistan Today on anonymity¸ a blind student said that he and othe blind students required help to move around the department and board buses, but the statement from the department head had discourage other students from helping them. He said the VC was briefed on other complaints against Dr Bano and the issue of increase in fees was also discussed. He said the VC issued immediate instructions. Another blind student said Dr Bano was not aware of the issues of blind students, since she was a specialist in the study of the dumb and deaf. . He said the complaint against Dr Bano’s discriminatory statement in front of class was justified and Dr Kamran had responded helpfully and also promised full fee relaxation. He said Dr Bano appeared to be insensitive to blind students and was unaware of their sufferings. He said no blind student had ever been accused of objectionable behaviour with female students and Dr Bano’s statement was beyond their understanding.
PU sources said the VC could replace Dr Bano, as he had taken the accusations very seriously. They said the VC was told that the department was utilising maximum funds and had several other issues outstanding. They said the VC might choose another head from the current faculty and instructed Treasurer Dr Uzma to visit the Special Education Department immediately to resolve the matter.
However, speaking to Pakistan Today, Dr Bano denied uttering any statement about the sexual strength of blind students. She said the allegations were baseless and she had always been cooperative with all the students. She denied knowing which students from her department had complained to the VC, adding that the VC had yet to enquire her about the matter.
