The Bengaluru police have filed an FIR against a professor at a private university in the city for reportedly calling a Muslim student a “terrorist” in class. The accused, Professor Muralidhar Deshpande from PES University, was suspended following public outcry over a video of the incident that went viral. The incident occurred on March 24 at the university’s campus on Banashankari Ring Road.
The professor allegedly targeted the Muslim student, named Affan, multiple times during a lecture, referring to him as a “terrorist” in front of about 60 students. The police took notice of the incident and registered the FIR against Deshpande, with Affan as the victim in the case. The complaint was triggered by a social media post detailing the incident and its potential to disrupt communal harmony.
Students reported that the professor made derogatory comments, such as linking the student to the Iran war and making offensive statements, creating a hostile classroom environment. The widely circulated video shows the professor singling out the student and making disparaging remarks. The incident has sparked criticism for religious discrimination and hate speech in an academic setting.
Allegations have emerged that crucial CCTV footage from the classroom was deleted, raising concerns about accountability. Some students supporting the victim were allegedly suspended for minor reasons. The professor issued a written apology to the college administration but did not directly apologize to the student. The university administration has suspended the professor and initiated an internal inquiry into the matter.
