MP: After ABVP pressure, Muslim principal of an Indore-based college forced to resign

• ABVP activists demanded the principal’s resignation, alleging that students were being forced to use an “anti-Hindu” book for reference
• Dr Inamur Rahman has been “forced to resign” over the use of the book, written by Dr Farhat Khan and published by an Indore-based publication
• Six teachers, four of them Muslims, were taken off duty a few days ago after ABVP accused them of promoting “fundamentalism” and “negative thoughts” about Modi government and Army

The Principal of Indore-based Government New Law College (GNLC) has been forced to resign after RSS-affiliated student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) alleged that a book written by him ‘hurt sentiments of Hindus.”

Reacting over the development, the principal, Dr Inampur Rahman, said that he has been forced to resign over a controversial book, claiming that the use of the book in the college predates his appointment as principal. The ABVP alleged that the book, Collective Violence and Criminal Justice System, is against the Hindu community.

Only a few days ago, as many as six teachers, four of them Muslims, were taken off duty after the Hindu right student wing accused them of promoting “fundamentalism” and “negative thoughts” about the Narendra Modi government and the Army.

According to sources, the ABVP students on Saturday assembled outside the office of Dr Inamur Rahman, demanding his resignation.

Dr Rahman has alleged that he has been forced to resign over the use of the book, written by Dr Farhat Khan and published by an Indore-based publication, reported NDTV. Dr Rahman told reporters: “There is a course named ‘Collective Violence and Criminal Justice System’. Considering that there is no prescribed syllabus for this course, students can choose any book on this topic.”

He further clarified: “I was appointed Principal in 2019, while this particular book has been in the college library since 2014.”

Madhya Pradesh Higher Education Minister Mohan Yadav has instituted an inquiry into how the book was being allowed to be used for reference in the college, according to NDTV report.

On the other hand, the state police have also registered a case against the principal and the author and publisher of the book under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code following the ABVP’s complain. An FIR was filed against Dr Rahman, professor Mirza Mojij, Dr Khan and Amar Law Publications, following an order from Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Dr Narottam Mishra.

The contents of the book over which ABVP has raised its objections include the statement: “Hindu communalism is emerging as a destructive ideology. Hindu outfits, including VHP, want to establish a Hindu-majority state and want to enslave other communities.”

The book also reportedly voices concern over abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, granting a special status to Kashmir. ABVP members also accused some professors of promoting “love jihad” and “propagating religious extremism”.

The Madhya Pradesh Home Minister said: “We have received complaints of professors teaching out-of-syllabus texts. Anti-national issues have surfaced. Complaints such as getting students to cast their votes on Article 370 and issues of ‘love jihad’ have also surfaced. We will take strict action.”

The FIR was registered on the basis of a written application submitted by one Lucky Adiwal, an LLM student at the college, according to the college authorities. Notably, the student has not paid his fees for the past two years.

-INDIA NEWS STREAM