Professor Mohd. Tajudin, who teaches political science, referred to Shaheed Bhagat Singh as a terrorist, triggering controversy and sharp criticism from the students for hurting their sentiments
Srinagar: Jammu University on Friday ordered strict action against a senior professor who was caught on camera referring to freedom fighter Bhagat Singh as a ‘terrorist’. Prof Tajudin has been dissociated from teaching.
Professor Mohd. Tajudin, who teaches political science, referred to Shaheed Bhagat Singh as a terrorist, triggering controversy and sharp criticism from the students for hurting their sentiments. The university ordered a probe into the matter for necessary action against the faculty member.
In a video available with MyNation, Prof. Tajudin can be heard referring to Bhagat Singh as a terrorist of the Indian freedom struggle. “Terrorism yahan bhi hua, aazadi ke daur main. Bhagat Singh, hum unko hero banate hain…he was also regarded a terrorist (We have made a hero out of Bhagat Singh but he was also regarded a terrorist),” Tajudin can be heard saying in a video clip, which was recorded by a student during the lecture on Thursday.
A clip of the lecture went viral on social media, sparking outrage.
After a massive protest in Jammu University against the professor, the university has also ordered Tajuddin's suspension and said he could not take classes till the probe was over.
Tajuddin has issued an apology after the outrage. He said, "I also consider Bhagat Singh a revolutionary. He is one of the people who sacrificed their lives for the country."
He alleged that his statement was taken out of context. “I was teaching about the Russian revolutionary Lenin and in that context, I said state calls any violence against it 'terrorism'. Someone took a 25-second video out of my two-hour lecture. The terrorist word came in that, it wasn't what I meant. Still, if anyone is hurt, I'm really sorry for it,” Tajuddin was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
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