DU prof booked for insulting FB post on goddess Durga

NEWDELHI: The Delhi Police have begun a probe against a Delhi University teacher for allegedly i nsulting Hindu goddess Durga in a Facebook post.

Kedal Kumar Mandal, an assistant professor with Dyal Singh College, made the alleged derogatory remarks in a post on Friday. His post comes during the nine-day Navratri festival, celebrated to honur the goddess.

Mandal removed the post after the National Democratic Teachers Front (NDTF) filed a police complaint against him.

“During the festival season, the professor used a kind of description of Goddess Durga that hurts the sentiments of crores of Indians. This is just a cheap publicity stunt. We felt that we had to take a stand and not only oppose the person, but also such mindset,” said assistant professor, Rasal Singh, member of the NDTF and their representative to the academic council of DU.

“We will summon him to join investigation. A case has been registered,” a police officer told Hindustan Times on Sunday.

HT couldn’t reach Mandal for his comments.

Police have registered a case against Mandal for hurting religious sentiments (Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code) and promoting enmity between different groups on basis of religion (Section 153A). If convicted, Mandal could face up to five years in jail.