New Delhi, February 27 – The Congress party has strongly criticized the Modi government over the appointment of Dr. Shaija A as the Dean of the Planning and Development Department at the National Institute of Technology-Calicut (NIT-Calicut), citing her alleged remarks in praise of Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin, Nathuram Godse. The party has demanded an immediate reversal of the decision, calling it a reflection of the BJP’s ideological stance of "appropriating Gandhi while glorifying Godse."
Dr. Shaija's appointment, as per an order issued by the NIT-Calicut Director, will take effect on March 7, 2025, for an initial tenure of two years. However, controversy surrounds her selection due to an ongoing police case against her for allegedly expressing "pride" in Godse’s actions on Mahatma Gandhi’s Martyr’s Day.
Taking to social media, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh condemned the appointment, stating:
"A professor in Kerala who publicly says she is proud of Godse for saving India is made a Dean in NIT-Calicut by the Modi government. This is all part of the Modi mindset – Appropriate Gandhi, Glorify Godse."
Ramesh also drew parallels with a former Calcutta High Court judge, now a BJP MP, who had previously been unable to choose between Mahatma Gandhi and Nathuram Godse in his statements.
Congress leader K C Venugopal echoed similar sentiments, asserting that the BJP was once again revealing its ideological leanings. He criticized the move as a deliberate attempt to mainstream divisive ideologies and called for Shaija's removal from the position.
"People who admire the killers of Mahatma Gandhi should have no place in public life, let alone be promoted to leadership positions in national institutions," Venugopal stated.
Political Opposition and Protests
Dr. Shaija was questioned by police last year after complaints from organizations such as DYFI, SFI, and the Youth Congress over her alleged social media post supporting Godse. The Kunnamangalam police investigated the matter, and she was granted anticipatory bail by the local court.Political parties and student organizations have strongly opposed her appointment, with DYFI, the youth wing of the CPI(M), announcing a protest march to NIT-Calicut.
Meanwhile, the NIT-Calicut directive states that Shaija is to work alongside the current Dean, Dr. Priya Chandran, until March 7 to ensure a smooth transition.
The appointment has sparked a broader debate on the influence of ideological affiliations in public institutions, with opposition parties accusing the ruling BJP of pushing a revisionist narrative on India's history. Whether the decision will be reversed remains to be seen, but the controversy continues to intensify.
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