A college in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, has found itself at the centre of a heated controversy after a teacher removed a student from the stage for uttering the phrase “Jai Shri Ram.” The incident, which was captured on a viral video, led to the suspension of two professors.
In a video that went viral across social media, a student was seen being forcefully removed from the stage by a female teacher for saying “Jai Shri Ram.”
Following this incident, college authorities took action against the professors involved.
Professor Mamta Gautam and Dr Sweta Sharma have both been suspended from their positions at the college, Crossing Republic’s ABES College, as a result of the incident.
The college management’s decision to suspend the two professors has ignited a range of reactions. Some have supported the decision, while others have expressed their dissatisfaction.
The incident did not stop at the suspension of the professors. After the video went viral, radical Hindu groups rallied against the college administration, demanding strict action against both the teachers involved.
The institution’s director, Sanjay Kumar, announced on social media that no action would be taken against a student or those supporting him in an effort to prevent them from feeling “demoralized.” He revealed that a “high-level inquiry committee” had been established to investigate the behaviour of two teachers who had asked a student to step down during a public event.
On October 21, following a protest announcement by a Hindutva group, Hindu Raksha Dal, Kumar issued another Instagram video statement, acknowledging that the behaviour of the two teachers had been “inappropriate.”
The inquiry committee submitted its recommendations within 24 hours, leading to the immediate suspension of the two faculty members. The suspended teachers did not plead guilty to the charges.
Mamta Gautam, one of the teachers, argued in a video statement that the student had been removed from the stage due to an argument, expressing concern that she was being targeted by an online mob.
Local police have since confirmed that they are actively “investigating the matter” and have pledged to take “suitable action.”
