New Delhi: A political science professor at Sharda University, Greater Noida has been suspended and issued a show-cause notice following a ‘controversial’ question asked in an examination.
The question appeared in the first-year BA (Hons) political science paper.
In the paper, on a subject titled ‘political ideologies’, question six from section B read, “Do you find any similarities between Fascism/ Nazism and Hindu right-wing (Hindutva)? Elaborate with the argument.”
A massive uproar erupted after a screenshot of the paper made it to social media platforms. Taking cognisance of the issue, university authorities issued a statement Friday.
A teaching staff at poltical science department in Sharda university, Noida was suspended after a question on "similarities between Fascism and Hindu right wing" appeared in the mid term exam. A 3-member team has been constituted by the varsity to probe the matter. pic.twitter.com/0XYYCc8iJj
— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) May 7, 2022
The professor was suspended and a three-member committee of senior faculty members was formed to look into the matter.
“The university regrets that such an incident has taken place that may have the potential for fomenting social discord,” a statement issued by the university Friday read.
— Sharda University (@sharda_uni) May 6, 2022
“The university fraternity is totally averse to any line of thought which distorts the great national identity and the inclusive culture inherent in our national ethos,” it further said.
“As an institution of higher learning, we are committed to the larger mission of civilisational revival that celebrates the best of our religion, tradition, history, and culture that have shaped not just the idea of India, but all the facets of human knowledge on the world stage,” the university said.
On Saturday, Sharda University further announced that the committee had decided to send a show-cause notice to the assistant professor.
The university, on its Twitter handle, issued a statement that further read that the specific question was found prima-facie “objectionable” and that it would be ignored by examiners for the purpose of awarding marks.
— Sharda University (@sharda_uni) May 7, 2022
Meanwhile, the issue took on more political dimensions when Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vikash Preetam Sinha criticised the university and the teacher for asking such a question to the students.
यूनिवर्सिटी का नाम 'शारदा' पर कृत्य देखिए कि परीक्षा में छात्रों को 'हिन्दुत्व' को अनिवार्य रूप से फासी और नाजीवाद के समकक्ष सिद्ध करने के लिए कहा जा रहा है। यह प्रश्नपत्र कथित रूप से किसी मुस्लिम शिक्षक द्वारा बनाया गया है. (Q no. 6)@myogiadityanath @dpradhanbjp @shalabhmani pic.twitter.com/rtTTJzyA0u
— विकास प्रीतम सिन्हा (@VikashPreetam) May 6, 2022
On 17 May 2021, Gilbert Sebastian, an assistant professor at the Central University of Kerala, was also suspended after he termed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) “proto-fascist” during an online class on ‘Fascism and Nazism.’