PES University Professor Suspended After Viral Classroom Incident
A video capturing a faculty member at PES University in Bengaluru repeatedly insulting a student from a minority community by calling him a "terrorist" has gone viral on social media, leading to the immediate suspension of the professor. The incident, which occurred during a class on Thursday, has sparked widespread outrage and prompted a formal investigation by the university administration.
Details of the Controversial Classroom Exchange
According to social media posts and the video recording from the classroom, Dr. Muralidhar Deshpande, an adjunct faculty member at the private university, reacted aggressively toward the student. In the footage, which is marked by significant background noise, Deshpande is heard shouting, "The moment the class is going on, you come and disturb it. Sharm nahi aati tumko (do you feel no shame)? Useless fellow, terrorist — I will call you terrorist." He repeated the term "terrorist" multiple times, with reports indicating he used it at least 13 times during the altercation.
Further insults included phrases like "Kya kha ke aate ho, sharam nahi aati?" (What do you eat that you feel no shame?), highlighting the professor's harsh demeanor. Deshpande added, "I thought today I will be very calm," suggesting a premeditated frustration. The video quickly circulated online on Friday, drawing sharp criticism from students, parents, and the public.
University's Swift Response and Investigation
In response to the viral video, PES University has taken decisive action. Jawahar Doreswamy, the chancellor of the university, stated that they are verifying the authenticity of the video. "All our classroom lectures are recorded. We have asked our technical team to check the authenticity of the video. We are verifying to know the truth in the matter," he explained.
Doreswamy emphasized that the university has placed the lecturer under immediate suspension. "Disciplinary committee will look through the evidence and proceedings have to be initiated against the faculty. Anything like this has never happened in the history of the institution," he assured, noting that such behavior is "100% unacceptable." He expressed surprise that a faculty member with a PhD would react in this manner and pledged not to suppress any details.
Protocols and Training for Faculty Members
The chancellor also addressed the university's policies regarding faculty conduct. "We have a policy that all faculty members will be trained in the beginning of the year on how to deal with situations inside the classrooms. Sometimes, there could be indiscipline in the classroom, and people can overreact," he said. He highlighted that Deshpande is an adjunct faculty member, not a full-time employee, and indicated that the university is reviewing its protocols for adjunct staff.
"We are looking at our protocol on what message is being given to adjunct faculty members. They will also be included in the trainings henceforth," Doreswamy added, suggesting that future measures will ensure all faculty, regardless of employment status, receive proper guidance on classroom management and ethical behavior.
Police Involvement and Legal Proceedings
Despite the severity of the incident, no police complaint has been filed yet. City police officials told TOI that after the video went viral, they approached the college authorities and students, urging them to file a formal complaint to enable legal action against the professor. However, the university management requested a delay.
"The management asked us to wait for sometime. They said after holding an internal departmental enquiry, they have placed the professor under suspension. They told us that they will discuss before filing the police complaint," a senior police officer revealed. This indicates that while the university is conducting its own investigation, potential legal steps may follow depending on the outcome and further discussions.
Broader Implications and Community Reaction
This incident has raised concerns about discrimination and professionalism in educational institutions. The viral nature of the video has amplified calls for accountability and stricter enforcement of codes of conduct. As the investigation unfolds, stakeholders are watching closely to see how PES University handles the disciplinary process and whether it leads to broader changes in faculty training and minority student protections.
The university's commitment to transparency and action will be critical in restoring trust and ensuring such incidents do not recur in the future.
