Two professors, working in colleges affiliated to Mysuru University have been suspended for allegedly campaigning for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
On Tuesday evening, Dr Aravind Malagatti, a professor at Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies and Professor Mahesh Chandraguru from the Journalism Department in Manasagangotri College, were suspended.
A confederation of progressive groups and the Forum for Backward Communities had organised a programme in Mysuru on 13 April titled ‘Save Democracy, Save the Constitution and Save India’.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s son, Dr Yathindra Siddaramaiah, is said to have attended the event.
On the very day, the BJP had filed a complaint with the Election Commission, stating that the professors were campaigning for Siddaramaiah.
On 14 April, the EC sent a notice to the Registrar of Mysuru University, Bharati, asking her to conduct a probe and file an action-taken report. However, when no report was received by the University, the Election Commission, on Monday sent a notice to the Vice Chancellor of Mysuru University – C Basavaraju, stating that action would be taken against him.
Professor Mahesh Chandraguru however told TNM that they had not endorsed any party and action was taken against them without a fair probe
No probe was conducted. No disciplinary committee was formed, as per the rules to find out what happened... This event was not organised by the Congress and we were not endorsing any political party. Without probing, they suspended us.Professor Chandraguru told The News Minute
According to the professor, the event was organised by progressive groups to create awareness regarding the “threat to democracy”.
“I had made statements saying that the BJP is a threat to democracy, especially since its leaders made comments about changing the constitution. During the programme, I had also said that the JD(S) is a castiest party,” he said.
I had only said that people can vote for anyone but BJP and JD(S). This does not mean I support the Congress or endorsed the party.Professor Chandraguru told The News Minute
Chandraguru alleged that the VC, Basavaraju was related to BJP leader V Srinivas Prasad, which was why there was an alleged botch up of the investigation.
(This article was first published on The News Minute and has been republished with permission.)
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