Kozhikode: A faculty of Kozhikode National Insititute of Technology (NIT) has been named in a case after she made a 'pro-Godse' comment under a post on social media on Martyrs Day, January 30. It is the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi
After posting the comment praising Nathuram Vinayak Godse, who shot and killed Mahatma Gandhi, she deleted it following severe criticism.
The faculty, Dr Shaija Andavan, commented, "Proud of Godse for Saving India," under a post by social media user Advocate Krishna Raj, who posted the photo of Godse. The post hailed Godse, a Hindu Mahasabha activist, as a hero to many people in India.
The case was registered against the faculty after CPI(M) 's students wing SFI filed a complaint with Kunnamangalam Police of Kozhikode.
Following the severe backlash to her comment from netizens, Shaija removed it. She told Mathrubhumi that her job is to teach and not to "play politics". She does not have any political allegiance, she said.
She claimed that she read an article on "Why Nathuram Killed Gandhi" and posted the comment on the basis of that. She is saddened by the developments that followed her comment, she told the Mathrubhumi.
Earlier, the suspension of a Dalit student for one year by the NIT authorities, for reacting against those who organized excessive celebrations on the campus on the day of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, was controversial and criticized.
KSU Kozhikode District President VT Suraj has also lodged a complaint with the police. He alleged that Adv Krishnaraj's post is causing communal hate in society, and the comment made by a teacher in a higher education institution of the country is insulting to the Father of the Nation, and a case has to be filed. MK Raghavan MP also filed a complaint with the NIT director, demanding action against the professor. In a statement, DYFI district secretary PC Shaiju demanded the expulsion of Shaija Andavan from NIT.