The appointment of Dr Shaija Andavan as the Dean of Planning and Development at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Calicut has ignited significant controversy, primarily due to her previous social media comments praising Nathuram Godse, the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi.
Dr Andavan, a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, made headlines in January 2024 when she commented on a Facebook post, expressing pride in Godse for “saving India”. This remark, made on Martyrs’ Day, the day commemorating the death anniversary of Bapu, led to widespread backlash, resulting in complaints from various student organisations, including the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI).
Following these complaints, a police case was registered against her under Section 153 of the Indian Penal Code for inciting potential unrest. Although she later deleted the comment and was granted bail, the incident raised questions about her suitability for a leadership role within an academic institution where she’ll be guiding young and impressionable minds.
NIT Calicut’s administration has defended the appointment, asserting that it adhered to the statutory guidelines of the NIT Act, which allows the director to appoint deans based on qualifications. As of now, Dr Andavan is set to assume her new role on March 7 succeeding Dr Priya Chandran. However, her appointment has prompted calls for protests from political groups and student organisations, who argue that her past actions undermine the values upheld by the institution and reflect a broader ideological influence in educational appointments.
Jargon
- Shaija Andavan: A professor at the National Institute of Technology-Calicut (NIT-C) who has been appointed as the Dean of Planning and Development. She gained notoriety for her controversial social media comments praising Nathuram Godse, the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi.
- Nathuram Godse: An “Indian nationalist” known for assassinating Mahatma Gandhi in 1948. His actions and ideology have sparked significant debate and controversy in Indian society, particularly regarding nationalism and historical narratives.
- Dean: A senior academic administrator in a college or university responsible for overseeing a specific department or area. Deans typically have significant influence over academic policies and faculty appointments.
- NIT Act: Legislation governing the National Institutes of Technology in India, outlining the structure, administration, and appointment processes within these institutions.
- Section 153 IPC: A provision in the Indian Penal Code that addresses wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause a riot. It is often invoked in cases where speech or actions are believed to incite public disorder.
Viewpoints 💭
- The left criticises Dr. Shaija Andavan’s appointment as a reflection of the RSS agenda infiltrating educational institutions, undermining secular values.
- They argue that her praise for Nathuram Godse, Bapu’s assassin, is a direct affront to the principles of non-violence and secularism that the Mahatma stood for.
- The left views the appointment as a bypass of seniority norms, suggesting favouritism and ideological bias in academic governance.
- They emphasise the need for educational leaders to uphold values of inclusivity and secularism, which they believe are compromised by Dr Andavan’s past comments.
- The left calls for protests and the revocation of her appointment, seeing it as part of a broader trend of communalisation in education.
- The left perceives Dr Andavan’s appointment as a manifestation of the RSS’s influence in academia, while the right sees it as a legitimate decision based on merit and qualifications.
- While the left emphasises the need for educational leaders to embody secular and inclusive values, the right prioritises academic freedom and the inclusion of diverse historical perspectives.
- The left argues that the appointment bypasses seniority norms, reflecting ideological bias, whereas the right contends that the NIT Act allows for such appointments based on qualifications.
- The left views the protests as a necessary response to uphold secular values, while the right considers them politically motivated attempts to destabilise educational reforms.
- The left calls for the revocation of the appointment to prevent communalisation in education, whereas the right defends it as a step towards reforming and diversifying academic leadership.
- The right defends Dr Shaija Andavan’s appointment, arguing it adheres to the NIT Act, which allows appointments based on qualifications rather than seniority.
- They assert that her comments on Godse were misinterpreted and were based on historical readings rather than an endorsement of violence.
- The right views the backlash as an overreaction, emphasising the importance of academic freedom and diverse perspectives in educational leadership.
- They argue that the protests are politically motivated, aiming to undermine the central government’s efforts to reform educational institutions.
- The right believes that Dr Andavan’s extensive experience and leadership roles justify her appointment, despite the controversy.
Prominent Voices 📣
- Pawan Khera (Congress Leader): Criticised the BJP for promoting individuals who insult national icons and questioned if this reflects the BJP’s vision for ‘New India’.
1
- Praveen Kumar (Kozhikode Congress District Committee President): Expressed that Dr Shaija’s appointment reflects the RSS agenda and committed to protesting until her appointment is revoked.
2
- Indian Youth Congress (Political Organisation): Called for a reconsideration of the appointment due to Dr Andavan’s controversial statements and legal issues.
3
- Shaija Andavan (Professor at NIT Calicut): She explained that her comment was based on Godse’s book and not meant to support Gandhi’s assassination, distancing herself from any political affiliations.
4
- NIT Calicut Officials (Institutional Authority): Clarified that the appointment is in accordance with the NIT Act and categorised under specific roles.
5
