BHU, a university built on strong pillars of nationalism and secularism is fighting a rather unusual battle.
An unsurpassed paradigm of the ‘Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb’ is facing religion debacle in the holy premises of Mahamana’s dreams! Who would’ve thought!
Via: Shiksha.com
Professor Firoz Khan was appointed as the Assistant Professor in the Sanskrit Vidhya Dharma Faculty at BHU on November 5. Ever since then, students have refused to go to classes citing objections over assignation of a non-Hindu professor in Sanskrit Department.
Via: Newsd
For over 14 days, students are protesting the decision, refusing to attend classes. Some of the faculties are in support of the students as well.
Via: Hindustan Times
Bhagwatswaroop Shukla, a professor justified their demands saying:
“This is a modern Sanskrit department and this place emphasizes Shastras and Vedas. Firoze Khan has been appointed here in this specialised faculty. Only that person can teach here who is well-versed in tradition. I do not think he may not be able to follow the traditions of this place.”
Amidst all the chaos, the Sanskrit Department reopened today. Students were requested to go to classes but they stood on their ground and refused to do so.
“I can only say that we have got the faculty reopened. The protesting students have told us they have no objections to the locks being opened.”
Chandramauli Upadhyaya, a professor at the faculty, said.
The university is standing firm on its decision, in no mood for backing off, on the other hand, so do the protesting students.
The whole fiasco took a sweet ironical turn when students from the same university marched a rally with slogans “We are with you Dr Firoz Khan” to support him on Wednesday!
Via: Lokmat News Hindi
Seems there’s still hope!
According to OP Rai, Chief Proctor of BHU:
“We are in constant touch with the students and we hope to resolve this by today. See… religious feelings sometimes tend to have a different context but whatever has happened, the appointment, the university runs according to UGC guidelines and will do so in the future too. There is no confusion. The university has done nothing wrong.“
Let’s see who wins this fight between secularism and petty politics!