BHU Muslim prof joins arts' faculty after students relentlessly protest against his appointment to Sanskrit dept

Almost a month after students from Benaras Hindu University went on protests against the appointment of a Muslim professor in the Sanskrit department. Under pressure, the professor, Feroze Khan resigned from his post at the SVDV Department and joined the Arts Faculty where he will teach Sanskrit, BHU sources said.

Despite support from most of the faculty and the administration and country-wide debate, discussion and even support, Khan quit his post. 

Students, mostly from the ABVP, were protesting against Khan's appointment.

They said only a Hindu can teach Sanskrit at the university in Varanasi.

Although the Benaras Hindu University backed Khan, he was unable to take classes for several days.

Sanskrit Vidya Dharma Vigyan Department Dean Bindeswari Prasad Mishra confirmed that Khan has joined the Arts Faculty of the university where he will teach Sanskrit.

A Dalit professor who extended his support to Khan was also attacked by some students for supporting the professor. The professor who is a senor faculty in the SVDV department said that he was sitting in a classroom when some students barged in and started abusing him in foul language.

He told the National Herald that he had felt unsafe and left the room, "They asked me to stop supporting a Muslim's appointment to the faculty. Some of the students then hurled stones at me and later caught up with me and shoved and pushed me. I could escape because a stranger gave me a lift on his scooter," he described. 

The University has also promised to launch an investigation into the alleged attack.