A professor at the National Institute of Technology – Calicut, Dr A Shaija, has been booked by the police for a post that praised Hindutva militant Nathuram Godse who killed Gandhi.
On Gandhi’s death anniversary, she had posted on Facebook, “Proud of Godse for saving India.”
Dr A Shaija was commenting on a Facebook post by an advocate who had posted, “Hindu Mahasabha activist Nathuram Godse, a hero of many in Bharat.”
Though she later deleted the comment, but its screenshots were widely circulated.
A case was registered against Shaija under IPC section 153 ( wantonly giving provocation, with intent to cause riot) after three organisations complained against the professor.
“I am ashamed to hear an inappropriate comment against Mahatma Gandhi and praise of Godse’s deed by a person holding a responsible post in NIT, a premier institution falls under my constituency. Appropriate exemplary action should be taken by the authorities concerned,” said Congress MP M K Raghavan, who represents Kozhikode (Calicut).
“Such statements not only reflect poorly on the academic integrity of our institution but also undermine the values we strive to uphold. It is essential to ensure that our academic environment remains inclusive, respectful and free from any form of intolerance or hate speech,” the MP wrote a letter to NIT-C director.
NIT-C was in the spotlight recently after a Dalit student named Vysakh Premkumar had also raised a placard saying India is not a Ram Rajya, which led to his suspension for one year. But it was later put on hold until an appellant authority decides on his appeal. The suspension triggered further protest.
