Varanasi University Lecturer's Navratra Post Gets Him Sacked

Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth lecturer Dr Mithilesh Kumar Gautam was sacked after his social media post that women shouldn't fast during 'Navratra'

A controversy has erupted over disciplinary action against a guest lecturer at Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth after his social media post on why women should not participate in the Hindu festival of Navratra.

Dr Mithilesh Kumar Gautam, a guest lecturer in the Department of Political Science, was dismissed from service and banned from entering the campus after he wrote on social media that women should read the Constitution of India and the Hindu Code Bill "instead of fasting for nine days during Navratra", the annual Hindu festival in which Goddess Durga is worshipped over nine nights.

While some students supported the action, saying it was justified, others alleged that the lecturer was victimised because of his Dalit identity.

University Registrar Dr Sunita Pandey told NDTV that the remarks made by Dr Gautam were objectionable. He said no person had the right to make such remarks about any religion or make such comments about women. "The things he said are not proper. A teacher should always avoid making such comments," Dr Pandey added.