LU prof opposes action, resigns as LUAA gen secy

Lucknow: Ajay Kumar Arya, a professor in the department of geology at Lucknow University and general secretary of LU Athletics Association (LUAA), on Tuesday came out in support of Madri Kakoti, an assistant professor in the linguistic department, who was served a show cause notice by the university administration on Monday for her post on Pahalgam terror attack.

Describing the notice as a "blow to freedom of speech and a teacher's duty to guide society in times of crisis", Prof Arya also resigned from LUAA.

"It is disheartening to see how a group of students owing allegiance to a specific ideology could influence university authorities to issue a notice to an assistant professor. Universities should be vital spaces for free thought and academic freedom. Labelling dissent in an FIR as sedition is not only unfair but dangerous. The LU's decision has caused resentment among a large section of teachers and students," he said in his resignation letter addressed to vice-chancellor Prof Alok Kumar Rai.

ABVP members staged a protest on campus on Monday alleging that the remarks posted by the teacher were reposted by a Pakistani media handle, tarnishing India's and LU's reputation. On Apr 23, she had posted that "asking about religion before killing people is terrorism, as is inquiring about religion before lynching, sacking from jobs, denying houses, and bulldozing homes, among other actions". On the complaint of an ABVP office-bearer, police booked Kakoti on charges of sedition and causing disharmony.

Kakoti, a satirist who goes by pen name Dr Medusa, issued a clarification on X: "The word terrorist in the post and my videos is only and only for the terrorists supported and sponsored by Pakistan, who carried out the brutal killing in Pahalgam by asking religion of the people. For the identity and integrity of India, in such a difficult situation, it is most important for all of us to remain united."

"I am very sad that despite being a teacher, I could not explain what I meant and despite having a degree in linguistics, my language was not so clear that my message of unity and peace could reach fellow Indians. I never thought that while discharging my responsibilities stated by my Constitution with full devotion, I would be linked to Pakistan. This has hurt my soul and that of my university, and our image has been maligned. My patriotism has been questioned. I am sorry that my words have been misinterpreted, and you have been hurt," she added.