HYD STUDENT RUSTICATED FOR ‘ABUSIVE’ POST AGAINST TEACHER

The University of Hyderabad on Thursday rusticated a research scholar associated with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) for one year after he was found guilty of posting a derogatory Facebook message against a Dalit professor last November.

A university spokesperson said the decision to rusticate Kaluram Palsaniya, a doctoral student with history department, followed a detailed inquiry by a seven-member proctorial board comprising a retired judge, police officers and senior faculty members. The research scholar was found guilty of abusing and questioning the credentials of economics professor K Laxminarayana on his Facebook page.

Palsaniya, a national council member of the ABVP, had unsuccessfully contested for the president’s post in the recent student union polls. “We have zero tolerance for physical or verbal abuse of any member of the university community in the course of discharging his or her duties. The university holds the academic autonomy and integrity of its well-qualified teachers in high regard,” the spokesperson said.

The university expects interactions among various sections to be conducted with mutual respect, dignity and decorum, the spokesperson stated, adding that grievances are supposed to be addressed only through appropriate institutional channels provided for the purpose.

On November 26, Palsaniya allegedly referred to professor Laxminarayana with an offensive term, decrying a post-graduate examination question on saffronisation of education. “B ****** d Laxminarayana now preaching what is saffronisation. He doesn’t even know basics of economics and now preaching about saffronisation… He has become professor only because of his blackmailing tricks (sic).” Four days later, the professor lodged a complaint with university vice-chancellor P Appa Rao Podile, which was later referred to the proctorial board. Palsaniya couldn’t be reached for comment.

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