Page 48 - 29NOV2019E-4

Row over BHU’s

Sanskrit professor

fails to die down

People opposing Dr Firoze Khan perhaps aren’t aware
that Mughal prince Dara Shikoh had come to Kashi to study
the Vedas, reports mudit mathur

The appointment of a Mus- this university on the global map as a However, the VC appealed the agi-
lim scholar Dr Firoze Khan center of learning open to all faiths. tating students to call off protest but
as assistant professor in But shockingly a Sanskrit scholar, Dr students opposing appointment have
Sanskrit Vidya Dharma Firoze Khan had traumatic experience been continuing their stir for almost a
T Vigyan (SVDV) of the and intolerant behaviour when he fortnight now. Despite his clarification
Banaras Hindu University (BHU) has enthusiastically went to join BHU on a section of BHU students supported
led to pro and anti-protests from the November 7, 2019, after his selection on by Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad
students over his religious identity. The the post of Assistant Professorto teach (ABVP) are up in arms and staging a
right wing supported students claimed “Vedas” in the faculty of Sanskrit Vidya dharna outside the VC’s lodge to pro-
that his appointment violates the sanc- Dharma Vigyan. The faculty dominated test the appointment of a non-Hindu
tity of their rich religious sacraments, by a particular caste started resisting as an assistant professor in the faculty
traditions and values. These events his appointment being a Muslim. Pro- of Sanskrit Vidya Dharm Vigyan. The
invoked sharp reactions at national testers greeted him with slogan shout- students claim that they are fighting
level raising questions relating to ing and aggression so that he could not for the protection of Sanatan Dharma,
equality and discrimination on the join there. values of Madan Mohan Malaviya and
ground of religious beliefs. Dr Firoze Khan comes from the his ideals. Protesters chant Hanuman
Even the founder of the Univer- background of an humble family who Chalisa and perform Havan in front of
sity Bharat Ratna Mahamana Pundit has traditional relationship with San- the residence of vice chancellor, vitiat-
Madan Mohan Malaviya never thought skrit language. His grandfather Gafoor ing academic atmosphere and disrupt-
of discrimination in academics on Khan use to perform Bhajans of various ing normal study routine.
religious considerations as his philoso- gods and goddesses in the varioustem- “There is no question of ending the
phy depicts, “India is not a country of ples of Rajasthan. His father Ramzan dharna until our demand is accepted
the Hindus only. It is a country of the Khan is also a graduate in Sanskrit by the BHU administration. We only
Muslims, the Christians and the Parsis and sings Bhajans of Lord Krishna. He want Dr Firoze to be shifted to some
too. The country can gain strength and taught Sanskrit to both his sons and other faculty,” said Shubham Tiwari, a
develop itself only when the people of Firoze is eldest. research scholar at the faculty of SVDV
the different communities in India live Vice Chancellor (VC) of BHU Rake- who is taking part in the protest. Ad-
in mutual goodwill and harmony. It is sh Bhatnagar maintains that selec- hokshaj Pandey, convener of ABVP’s
my earnest hope and prayers that this tion of Dr Firoze Khan had been done BHU wing, said, “Their demand is genu-
centre of life and light which is coming after due compliance of all rules and ine. The students want transfer of Dr
into existence, will produce students regulations.“It was on the basis of per- Firoze since they want only Hindus as
who will not only be intellectually equal formance Dr Firoze Khan was found teachers in the faculty of SVDV that im-
to the best of their fellow students in to be the fittest candidate for the post. parts education of ‘Sanatan Dharma.’
other parts of the world, but will also The selection committee comprised the Meanwhile, the dean faculty of
live a noble life, love their country and visitor’s nominee, subject experts, Dean SVDV Prof VP Mishra also wrote to
be loyal to the Supreme ruler.” of the Faculty of Sanskrit Vidya Dhar- the agitating students, urging them
This philosophy highlighted on the ma Vigyan, Head of the department of to end their stir. In view of obvious
home page of BHU website that puts Sahitya,” the VC added. security threats, scared Professor

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