The MIT administration has now closed the case after taking disciplinary action against the professor (Representational Image)
In November last year, a video of a professor calling a Muslim student ‘Kasab’ in class went viral and sparked controversy
A professor at Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), who was suspended for allegedly calling a student ‘Kasab’, is back on the campus after 6 months. According to a report in Indian Express, Vice-Chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Lt Gen (Dr) MD Venkatesh told that the professors are back on the campus, but they have not been assigned duty yet. After taking disciplinary action against the professor, the MIT administration has now closed the case.
As per the report, Venkatesh said, “In fact, the student has also reconciled and does not want any action to be taken against the professor.”
The MAHE had earlier constituted a committee to probe the matter, with the lecturer suspended pending inquiry. “The professor has not been sacked but punished. We have taken very strong disciplinary action against him. He is currently under good advice and monitoring,” said the vice-chancellor of MAHE.
A few days after the incident, the professor and the student spoke to each other and resolved the matter, the report said.
In November last year, a video of a professor calling a Muslim student ‘Kasab’ in class went viral and sparked a controversy. Following criticism over his remarks, the MAHE authorities took disciplinary action against the professor.
Kasab was the only Pakistani terrorist who was captured alive in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks in 2008 and was later hanged on November 21, 2012.
In the viral clip, the student was caught complaining against the ‘Kasab’ remark by the professor. The professor is seen playing it, calling it a “fun thing to do”. But the angry student explained, “26/11 was not funny… Being a Muslim in this country and facing all this every day is not funny.” At the end of the video, the professor is also seen apologizing to the student. To which the student replied, “Sorry, it doesn’t change how you think or how you portray yourself here.”
As the video gained attention on social media, MIT issued a statement condemning the incident and ordered an inquiry into the matter. They put up a notice informing that the institute does not condone such behaviour. He further assured that the incident would be dealt with as per the laid down policies.