PES Professor Suspended Over ‘Terrorist’ Remark Row
Bengaluru campus faces backlash after alleged communal comments against Muslim student
- Adjunct professor accused of calling student “terrorist” in class
- PES University suspends faculty pending inquiry
- Video of incident sparks outrage on social media
- National Student Union of India files police complaint
GG News Bureau
Bengaluru, 28th March: A controversy has erupted at PES University after an adjunct professor allegedly made derogatory and communal remarks against a Muslim student during a classroom session, prompting outrage and disciplinary action.
The incident, which reportedly took place on Tuesday, involved a student identified as Affan, who had sought permission to briefly step out of class. According to accounts and a video circulating online, the professor, identified as Dr. Muralidhar Deshpande, reacted aggressively and allegedly referred to the student as a “terrorist” in front of classmates.
In the video, the professor is heard shouting remarks at the student, with portions of the exchange recorded amid background noise. He is also accused of making a series of offensive comments, including linking the student to international conflicts and issuing threatening statements.
Following widespread backlash, the university placed the professor under suspension pending a detailed inquiry. In an official communication, the institution confirmed that a student complaint had been received and disciplinary action initiated, though it did not specify the nature of the allegations.
The Vice Chancellor of the university stated that faculty members are regularly trained to handle classroom situations but acknowledged that “overreaction” may occur in cases of indiscipline. He added that the accused was not a full-time faculty member and described the incident as unprecedented in the institution’s history.
The Vice Chancellor also indicated that the circulating video may not present the complete context, noting that further investigation is required before drawing conclusions.
Meanwhile, the National Student Union of India (NSUI) has filed a police complaint, demanding strict action against the professor and a public apology.
A student, speaking anonymously, also alleged that three students who supported the affected individual were subsequently suspended on unrelated grounds — a claim that has added to the controversy.
The incident has intensified debates around campus conduct, academic responsibility, and communal sensitivity, with calls for accountability growing louder as the inquiry proceeds.
