Guest lecture at Jamia to cost Prof

The university has announced filing of a defamation case

Guest lecture at Jamia to cost Prof

The university has announced filing of a defamation case

Reported remarks by Prof PK Basu are most likely to put him in a big soup. In an official statement put out by Jamia Milia Islamia, the varsity has condemned the 'inflammatory' remarks made by Prof Basu, a guest lecturer at the varsity, two days after the ghastly blast at High Court, referring to minority status of the institution.

In the eye of storm: Jamia Millia Islamia is the first central university
to be accorded minority institution status. file pic

Prof Basu, not a permanent faculty at Jamia, while delivering a lecture to MBA students on September 9, allegedly passed remarks that were personal and communal, causing anguish among faculty and students.

"He referred to Jamia as being a worthless minority university. Then pointing to a girl wearing a burqa, he said all of these students are dumb heads. He said by teaching here, he was wasting his time," said a student on condition of anonymity.

The university has announced filing a defamation case against the professor. "In pursuance of its policy of zero tolerance against sectarian and communal elements of all hues, Jamia Milia Islamia is proceeding to prosecute Prof Basu, for libel and to terminate all future association with him," said varsity media-coordinator.

The students from other departments said they got to know about the matter through the Jamia info service, which sends updates to students through SMS, informing them of any developments in the university.

They believe the professor was wrong in delivering provocative statements and have filed an application regarding the same to the Dean of Management Studies. The SMS read: "Jamia is to prosecute Prof P K Basu for libel and to terminate all future associations with him for his remarks against Jamia."