Central University of Kerala issues circular urging Profs not to deliver anti-national lectures
The circular stated that strict disciplinary action will be taken against employees who indulge in such activities in the future.
The Central University of Kerala (CUK) has released a circular directing all its faculty members to refrain from giving provocative lectures in class or anti-national statements that are against the nation.
On August 30, CUK issued a circular, stating that “The faculty members/employees should abstain from giving any type of provoking lectures/statements that are antinational and will be against the interest of the nation. Strict disciplinary action will be taken against those who indulge in such activities in future.”
This is issued with the approval of the Vice-Chancellor, it read.
The circular further stated that strict disciplinary action will be taken against employees who indulge in such activities in the future.
The move comes after an assistant professor of CUK was suspended for reportedly calling RSS a “proto-fascist organization” while taking an online class on “Fascism and Nazism” in April.
According to TOI, the suspension of Gilbert Sebastian was later revoked by vice-chancellor H Venkateshwarlu after the issuance of a strict warning letter to the teacher.
The decision to issue the circular was taken during the 51st meeting of the executive council of the university on June 24 during which Sebastian’s episode was discussed.
The council termed Sebastian’s statement as “anti-national” and authorized the vice-chancellor to issue a circular saying that faculty or employees must abstain from giving such provoking lectures/statements that in turn will affect the interest of the nation.
Meanwhile, several faculty members have said that the circular will be used to curtail freedom of speech and academic freedom and would make it difficult for them to engage in open discussions in classrooms.
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