Wayanad (Kerala) (PTI): Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Wednesday said that she began taking part in political campaigns in 1989 at the age of 17 years when she canvassed votes for her late father Rajiv Gandhi.
Addressing a massive gathering at Kalpetta ahead of filing nominations for the upcoming Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll, she said that in the 35 years since then, she has campaigned for her mother, Sonia Gandhi, her brother Rahul Gandhi and other party colleagues.
Her statement also comes a day after BJP's Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll candidate Navya Haridas said she was more experienced in representing people than Priyanka.
Congress Parliamentary party president Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and other senior party leaders were present on the dais during Priyanka's speech.
During her public address, Priyanka also said that she considers it an honour to be chosen to represent the people of Wayanad.
She also said that she was deeply touched by the courage shown by people of Wayanad at the time of landslides that hit the district.
Priyanka would be contesting against LDF's Sathyan Mokeri and BJP's Navya Haridas.
The by-election for Wayanad LS seat became necessary after Rahul Gandhi, who won the Lok Sabha polls from there and Rae Bareli constituency, decided to vacate Wayanad.
Voting in Wayanad will be held on November 13.
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Bengaluru: A minute-long video is being widely shared on social media showing a classroom incident purportedly from PES University, Bengaluru, where a professor is allegedly seen calling a Muslim student a “terrorist” multiple times. According to claims circulating online, the professor identified as Dr. Muralidhar Deshpande repeated his remark caling the Muslim student a terrorist 13 times during the class on Friday, March 27.
Following the circulation of the video, fresh developments have emerged. PES University has suspended the professor pending a detailed enquiry. This was confirmed through an official document accessed by Vartha Bharati.
The document dated March 27 states, “A case of student complaint has been received. Pending a detailed enquiry into the matter, you are kept under suspension with immediate effect.” The order has been signed by the Vice Chancellor of the university. However, the document does not mention the nature of the incident or provide any further details.
Mohammed Haiyan, PR Secretary of Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO), speaking to Vartha Bharati over a phone call, condemned the incident. He said the incident took place at the Electronic City campus of the university.
He added that they are demanding that an FIR be registered against the professor. He also said that the NSUI has already registered an NCR with the local police. However, an FIR has not been registered so far in connection with the case.
A report by The Observer Post has made several additional claims regarding the incident. It stated:
“In PES University, Bengaluru, a professor allegedly verbally abused a Muslim student named Affan in class. Dr. Muralidhar Deshpande reportedly called him a "terrorist" 13 times and said, "Iran war happened because of people like you," "Trump will take you away," and "You are idiots, you will go to hell." These remarks were made in front of around 60 students, creating a humiliating environment. CCTV footage that could have been evidence was allegedly deleted, raising concerns about accountability. Some students who supported Affan were reportedly suspended for "talking during class." The professor later apologized to the college but not directly to Affan, while the department head allegedly pressured him further.”
However, Vartha Bharati could not independently verify all of these claims mentioned in the report.
Vartha Bharati has sent an email to the university and Dr. Muralidhar Deshpande seeking clarification on the incident and the action taken. A response is awaited. The story will be updated once an official reply is received.
PES University, Bengaluru, Karnataka ,
— Team Rising Falcon (@TheRFTeam) March 27, 2026
A viral video is being reported from PES University, where a Muslim student was allegedly called a “terrorist” repeatedly not by a troll, but by a professor.
Imagine being labeled this way in front of 60 students by someone entrusted with… pic.twitter.com/aNObuWnH9e
