Students in India are protesting the appointment of a Muslim professor of the Sanskrit department, claiming he cannot teach Sanskrit, the ancient classical language of Hinduism.
The Muslim scholar has since gone into hiding as the protest escalates.
Feroz Khan was the choice of a selection committee at Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi amongst others vying for the post of an assistant professor of Sanskrit literature.
Two days after Khan’s appointment, a rightwing student organization with a Hindu nationalist ideology, members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, staged a campus demonstration demanding that Khan be removed or moved to a different faculty.
Stating the reason for the demonstration is that a Muslim cannot teach Sanskrit, they promised to keep protesting until Khan is removed from that position.
Khan immediately went into hiding following the protest. He spoke to newsmen before hiding. He explained that since his childhood, he never faced any discrimination because of religion, noting that it is disheartening some students don’t want him to teach the ancient language because of religious differences.
Sanskrit which is about 3,500 years old and is a very important part of Hinduism, is still being used in some academic and literary circles, as well as during Hindu and Buddhist religious rituals and ceremonies.
University gave in to the student demand
The university had earlier stood firm in its decision. It even issued a statement that Khan’s appointment was final and that it was done to provide equal opportunities to everyone irrespective of religion, caste, community or gender.
This changed when students announced they have reached a decision after meeting BHU Vice-Chancellor, Rakesh Bhatnagar, who they said pledged to enact corrective measures within 10 days.
Support for Sanskrit professor, Feroz Khan
As the demand for the removal of the Sanskrit professor continues, some students marched on campus in support of Khan, who has been nowhere to be found.
BHU’s Chancellor, Giridhar Malviya (the grandson of BHU founder Madan Mohan Malviya), and a number of senior politicians have defended the professor.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said on Thursday, that Sanskrit has wide coverage, and could be taught by a non-Hindu.
Popular Bollywood actor Paresh Rawal, a former BJP MP came out and tweeted in support of the Sanskrit professor.
Stunned by the protest against professor Feroz Khan !what language has to do with Religion!?!?!? Irony is professor Feroz has done his masters and PhD in Sanskrit !!! For Heavens sake stop this god damn idiocy !
— Paresh Rawal (@SirPareshRawal) November 19, 2019
