A professor at Bengaluru’s PES University has been suspended after he hurled communal abuse at a Muslim student in class. The video of the incident went viral and drew huge criticism. The incident, which took place on Tuesday, began after the student, identified as Affan, asked for permission to leave the classroom to meet someone, NDTV reported.
“Aren’t you ashamed?”
The teacher lost his cool for no apparent reason and snapped at the student saying he wanted to keep “calm” today.
He further forwarded derogatory comments, including calling him a “terrorist” and allegedly blaming “people like him for the ongoing war in Iran.”
“Sharm nahi aati, tumko (You feel no shame),” said the professor.
“I thought I was going to be very calm today,” he said.
He can then be heard saying “Terrorist” in the video, which is filled with background noise.
The professor allegedly made several offensive remarks, such as blaming “people like him” for the Iran war, claiming Donald Trump was “going to come and take him away” and telling the student he was “going to hell.”
Teacher suspended
A video of the entire incident is now circulating on social media. Following mounting criticism, the university has now suspended the professor and an investigation has been launched.
“A student complaint case has been received. Pending a detailed investigation into the matter, you are suspended with immediate effect,” the letter signed by the PES university vice-chancellor read.
What did the vice chancellor say?
Speaking to NDTV, the vice-chancellor emphasized that the university follows a policy of training all faculty members to deal with classroom situations.
“Sometimes there can be indiscipline in the classroom and people can overreact,” he said.
“This particular person has been teaching as an adjunct professor for so many years. He has a PhD. It’s surprising that he reacted the way he did. The video is circulating. But there’s some background talk with the student that’s there that I don’t want to respond to at this time. I don’t have the full context,” the vice chancellor said.
The vice-chancellor of the university emphasized that a similar incident “has never happened in the history of the institution”.
“In light of this particular matter, any disciplinary action will be taken against this particular faculty,” the vice-chancellor said.
The National Students Union of India (NSUI), the student wing of the Congress, filed a police complaint and demanded strict action along with a public apology from the professor.
