CuK revokes suspension of professor who called RSS proto-fascist

Following criticisms from the academic community, politicians and students alike, the Central University of Kerala revoked the disciplinary action against Gilbert Sebastian, an assistant professor at the Department of International Relations and Politics, on June 10. Gilbert was suspended from the university on May 17 after he termed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the parent organization of the BJP, proto-fascist in an online class on Fascism and Nazism on April 19.

In the discussions held as part of the International Relation and Political Science MA programme, Gilbert also posed relevant questions, including 'how is India under Narendra Modi'. However, the complaint against Gilbert filed by Vinod Karuvarakund, a member of the national committee on education under the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development and the RSS, stated that he was "indoctrinating students by spewing hatred and poison against the Narendra Modi government."

The suspension was revoked after it drew flak from the Members of Parliament in Kerala, from both the CPI(M) and the Congress, who wrote to Union Minister of Education Ramesh Pokhriyal on the matter, calling it a blatant violation of academic freedom. Students from across universities also extended their support to Gilbert. While revoking the suspension, the university warned not to "repeat such digressed utterances, which may cause disharmony in the classroom." Strict action would be taken in case of repeated violation, it added.

The Central University of Kerala has drawn flak in the past as well for blatant action against students and faculty who voice against the administration or the right-wing.