04 February,2009 09:40 AM IST | | B V Shiva Shankar
Pattabhirama Somayaji
Pattabhirama Somayaji dared to criticise the pub attack.u00a0 Now he's feeling the heat from the district in-charge minister and ABVP
Sangh Parivar men, including the district minister, wantu00a0 Pattabhirama Somayaji, an English lecturer, suspended just because he criticised the Sri Rama Sene for attacking the pub.
Somayaji, a lecturer in University College of Mangalore, is facing the heat after he condemned the assault on girls at Amnesia pub, last week. Akhila Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishat (ABVP) is up in arms and demanding his suspension from the college.
With Krishna Palemar, BJP MLA and district in-charge minister, taking their side, ABVP activists forced the college authorities to suspend classes twice and issued an ultimatum for Somayaji's suspension.
Torturous affair
"It's become torturous for me," said Somayaji. "Apart from disturbing the academic activities in the college, they are threatening me of dire consequences. I'm scared that I would be assaulted." He also said that he would lodge a complaint with the police if they continue to do so.
A member of Komu Souharda Vedike, a forum for communal harmony, Somayajiu00a0 reportedly told a TV channelu00a0 that Sri Rama Sene activists had attacked girl students of the college several times even before the pub attack, The interview is yet to be aired, but Somayaji's views irked the Sangha Parivar and the ABVP staged a protest in front of the college, last Thursday.
u00a0
However, the principal did not pay heed to them, which led to a protest again on Monday and this time Krishna Palemar was supporting them.
"Palemar rushed to the principal's chamber with the protestors and demanded immediate action," said Udaya Kumar Irruvattur, an Economics lecturer in the college. "It is unbecoming of a minister to take side and we were taken aback at his stance."
The protestors forcibly stopped classes for two days, but could not move the principal, who said the vice chancellor had to take action.
VC firm on stance
"We cannot suspend a lecturer just because somebody protested in front of the college," said K M Kariyappa, vice chancellor of Mangalore University. "We have asked for Somayaji's explanation and if we are convinced that he has violated statutes, we can take action against him."
He also said that he could not punish a lecturer for his personal remarks while clarifying the minister had not pressurised him.
Krishna Palemar was not available for his comments. However, a local ABVP leader said, "By criticising Sri Rama Sene, Somayaji has hurt the feelings of the Hindus and has insulted our culture. He must be punished."
