Aligarh – A disturbing incident unfolded at Sri Varshney College in Aligarh on Saturday when members and leaders of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) launched a physical and verbal attack on a Muslim English professor, accusing him of sending “objectionable messages” to a former female student, reported the Dawat News.
The situation escalated rapidly as ABVP members, along with several students including young women, surrounded the professor while chanting slogans such as “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Phool Nahin Chingari Hain, Hum Bharat Ki Naari Hain” (We are not flowers but sparks; we are the women of India). Police arrived on the scene and, after significant effort, managed to rescue the professor from the agitated crowd.
ABVP official Baldev Chaudhary alleged that the professor was involved in “Love Jihad” – a controversial and often communal term used by right-wing groups to accuse Muslim men of luring Hindu women under the guise of love. Chaudhary claimed the professor used academic incentives, such as offers of PhD guidance, to entrap Hindu girls. The complainant, a former student, had reportedly approached the police, SP City office, and the Women’s Commission.
Principal of Sri Varshney College, Prof. Brajesh Kumar, informed the media that students initially refused to provide detailed information and demanded the professor’s immediate suspension. However, upon inquiry, it was revealed that the incident in question allegedly occurred six months ago and no formal complaint had ever been lodged within the college.
“If the complainant is a student of our institution, we will investigate. If she’s an outsider, the police will handle it,” the principal said. He emphasized that no staff member would be suspended solely based on public protests or allegations without due investigation.
Aligarh Superintendent of Police (City), Mrigank Shekhar Pathak, confirmed receiving a complaint from the former student, who alleged that the professor had sent her inappropriate messages and videos. The professor’s mobile phone and laptop have been seized and are being examined.
Pathak further added, “We are exploring all angles. The college has also formed an internal inquiry committee. In addition, we are reviewing CCTV footage related to the attack. So far, no arrests have been made in connection with the assault.”
The incident adds to growing concerns over the targeting of minority academics under the guise of social and cultural issues in educational institutions.
