BHU Prof Feroze Khan Quits Sanskrit Dept, HRD Minister Refutes

Students, mostly from the ABVP, were protesting against Khan’s appointment, saying only a Hindu can teach Sanskrit.

BHU professor Feroze Khan.

(Photo: Aishwarya S Iyer/The Quint)

A few days after the news of BHU professor Feroze Khan resigning from his post at the Sanskrit Vidya Dharma Vigyan (SVDV) Department emerged, HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal “Nishank” on Thursday, 12 December told Lok Sabha that he is in the varsity's Sanskrit department and will continue to teach that language.

However, earlier, SVDV Dean Bindeswari Prasad Mishra had confirmed that Khan joined the Arts Faculty of the university where he will teach Sanskrit.

Meanwhile, students, mostly from the ABVP, were protesting against Khan's appointment. They said only a Hindu can teach Sanskrit at the university in Varanasi.

Although the Benaras Hindu University backed Khan, he was unable to take classes for several days.

Following the development, students who had been staging a sit-in against the selection of Khan in SVDV, ended their month-long protest.

BHU, on 15 November, had backed the appointment of Khan, saying it is committed to provide equal opportunities to everyone irrespective of religion, caste, community or gender.

The vice chancellor had assured the students that the administration is committed to achieve the objectives of the university – providing equal educational and teaching opportunities to everyone.

The selection committee had reiterated that the BHU Act was being followed in letter and spirit in the ongoing selection process in the university. He had appealed to the students to call off their agitation and cooperate in smooth functioning of the faculty of SVDV and the university.

(With inputs from PTI)