Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday confirmed that Vice Chancellor of the Banaras Hindu University Girish Chandra Tripathi had gone on leave for an indefinite period. He told The Indian Express that BHU had received Tripathi’s application, and confirmed the holiday.

Javadekar, however, did not mention who would serve as the vice chancellor of BHU in Tripathi’s absence.

Tripathi had drawn criticism for his comments on an alleged case of molestation on the BHU campus, which had sparked student protests in the university from September 21 to 23. He had dismissed the alleged sexual harassment as “a simple case of eve-teasing”.

On Monday, reports said Tripathi had taken leave citing personal reasons. His application did not mention the date of rejoining office, The Indian Express reported.

On September 18, he had threatened to resign if he was asked to go on leave because of the violence on campus. “Having done so much [for the university], it will be insulting to go on leave two months before my tenure comes to end,” he had said.

Tripathi’s tenure as vice chancellor ends on November 30. The Ministry of Human Resource Development is in the process of shortlisting his successor.

BHU reopened on Tuesday, 10 days after the university was forced to stay closed because of the students’ protests. Security has been tightened, and CCTV cameras have been installed to ensure safety on campus, The New Indian Express reported.