Professor who praised Godse named NIT-Calicut dean; Congress lashes out
What's the story
Dr. Shaija A has been appointed as the dean of the planning and development department at the National Institute of Technology-Calicut (NIT), effective March 7.
The decision has ignited a political controversy, as Dr. Shaija had praised Nathuram Godse on Mahatma Gandhi's death anniversary last year.
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh criticized the appointment on X, blaming it on what he called the "Modi mindset."
Political backlash
Congress leaders express disapproval of Shaija's appointment
"A professor in Kerala who publicly says she is proud of Godse for saving India is made a dean...This is all part of the Modi mindset - Appropriate Gandhi, Glorify Godse," Ramesh said.
He also alleged that a former judge who "could not choose between Mahatma Gandhi and Nathuram Godse" is now a BJP MP.
The Kozhikode unit of Congress has also strongly opposed Shaija's promotion. District Congress President K Praveenkumar asked how someone who insulted Gandhi could be promoted.
Protest plans
Planned protests and legal history surrounding Shaija
Shaija's appointment has prompted planned protests by the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), at NIT-Calicut.
Last year, Shaija was interrogated by police after DYFI, Students's Federation of India (SFI), and Youth Congress filed complaints against her social media post praising Godse.
The police had booked her under Section 153 of the IPC.
Work
Her position will last for two years
At the time, Shaija stated that her comment was not inappropriate.
"My comment was not to appreciate the killing of Gandhiji. I never wanted to do so. I had read Godse's book, Why I Killed Gandhi. Godse was also a freedom fighter," she told reporters.
The NIT-Calicut Director's order directs Shaija to work with the present Dean, Dr. Priya Chandran, until March 7 to ensure a "smooth changeover."
This position will last for two years, or until further orders.