The university's registrar, Dr. Sunita Pandey told NDTV that Dr. Gautam's comments were offensive. He asserted that no one has the right to disparage any faith or gender in this manner.
Digital Desk: Following a social media post on the reasons why women shouldn't participate in the Hindu festival of Navratra, a guest professor at the Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth has been dismissed from his sevice.
After posting on social media that women should read the Hindu Code Bill and the Constitution of India "instead of fasting for nine days during Navratra," the yearly Hindu festival in which Goddess Durga is worshipped over nine nights, Dr. Mithilesh Kumar Gautam, a guest lecturer in the Department of Political Science, was fired from his position and prohibited from entering the campus.
Others claimed that the lecturer was victimised because of his Dalit origin, while several students defended the course of action, stating it was justified.
The university's registrar, Dr. Sunita Pandey told NDTV that Dr. Gautam's comments were offensive. He asserted that no one has the right to disparage any faith or gender in this manner. "He said some inappropriate things. A teacher should refrain from saying things like that "said Dr. Pandey.
Dr. Gautam was unable to be reached for comment, according to news agency PTI, despite numerous attempts. He turned off his phone.
Dr. Gautam said in Hindi on social media: "It is preferable for women to read the Hindu Code Bill and the Indian Constitution during Navratra than to observe a nine-day fast. Fear and servitude will no longer rule their lives. Bheem, Jai."
Dr. Pandey stated, "On September 29, students complained via letter, claiming that Dr. Gautam had posted some content on social media that was offensive to the Hindu religion." Dr. Pandey attributed Dr. Gautam's behaviour to "widespread animosity" among students. He clarified that the visitor professor had been warned not to access the campus due to the current circumstances for his own safety.
Some students also visited with the Vice-Chancellor, according to university officials, and asked him to give the suspected guest lecturer a chance to explain his side of the story. The Vice-Chancellor told these students that both viewpoints would be heard, and a committee was established for this objective.
Dr. Gautam's remarks were "wrong," according to Anuj Srivastava, a representative of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, the BJP's student wing, and the university had taken a "appropriate response."
However, Lucknow University Associate Professor of Hindi Ravikant Chandan questioned the penalty taken against Dr. Gautam. He stated: "I was aware of that post. Nothing about it was unconstitutional. According to our constitution, India should be a scientific nation. We are allowed to express ourselves freely, and this piece is about women's freedom. It's a straightforward and typical post. The question now is if rationality vanishes in the modern India. Second, Dr. Gautam is a Dalit professor."
Post in a comment he continued, "They (the BJP) attacked Muslims first. Currently, they are focusing on social workers, teachers, and Dalit activists."
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