A professor at a prestigious private university in Bengaluru faced suspension after reportedly labeling a Muslim student as a “terrorist” multiple times during a class session. The incident, captured in a viral video, occurred on the university’s campus on Banashankari Ring Road, leading to widespread condemnation from students and society.
Dr. Muralidhar Deshpande, the accused professor, allegedly targeted the student, known as Affan, by using the derogatory term around 13 times in front of approximately 60 students. He also made offensive remarks like linking the student to the Iran war and suggesting that the student would be taken away by Trump, creating a hostile environment.
The video circulating on social media shows the professor singling out the student and making disparaging comments, sparking outrage over religious discrimination and hate speech within an academic setting. Concerns arose when it was revealed that the CCTV footage from the classroom, crucial evidence, had been deleted, raising questions about transparency and accountability.
Allegedly, students supporting the victim were also suspended for merely speaking up, under the pretext of disrupting the class. Despite issuing a written apology to the college administration, the professor did not directly apologize to the student, with the department head conveying the apology instead. Student groups, including the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), have filed a complaint, denouncing the incident as religious hate speech and demanding stringent action.
In response to the backlash, the university administration suspended Professor Deshpande and initiated an internal investigation into the matter. The incident has triggered widespread concern, prompting calls for stricter measures to ensure accountability and prevent discrimination in educational institutions.
