Jammu University professor calls Bhagat Singh terrorist, panel to probe
Jammu, Nov 30: A professor of Jammu University triggered a controversy by allegedly referring to freedom fighter Bhagat Singh as a "terrorist", prompting authorities to set up a panel to probe the matter.
While delivering a lecture at the department of political science on Thursday, Prof Mohammad Tajuddin allegedly made the reference.
Soon after students took up the matter with the vice chancellor.
Some students of the political science department met the Vice Chancellor on Thursday evening and told him about the incident. They submitted a CD as a proof", Spokesperson of Jammu University, Dr Vinay Thusoo told PTI.
Taking immediate action, Vice Chancellor Prof Manoj K Dhar ordered a probe and ordered disassociation of Prof Tajuddin from teaching.
"Following a complaint by some students against Prof Tajuddin on Thursday, the University on the same day constituted an Inquiry Committee, which is headed by Dean Academic Affairs of the University, Prof Keshiv Sharma", Dr Thusoo said.
He said the committee has been asked to submit its report within 7 days.
"Prof Tajuddin has been disassociated from teaching in the University with immediate effect till further orders", Dr Thusoo said.
The matter triggered protests from students who demanded that the Professor be suspended from the university.
Prof Tajuddin said his remarks were taken out of context and a 25-second clip was made from his two-hour lecture.
Talking to reporters, Prof Tajuddin said he was talking about Lenin (Russian revolutionary) in the lecture and in that context, mentioned that the state calls any violence against it as "terrorism".
"Someone took a 25-second video out of my 2-hour lecture. Terrorist word came in that. It was not what I meant. Still, if anyone is hurt, I am really sorry for it, he said.
I also consider Bhagat Singh as a revolutionary. He is one of the people who sacrificed his life for the country, he said, adding that he did not intend to hurt anyone's feelings and apologised.
I had no intention to demean the personality of Bhagat Singh or for that matter hurt anyone's feelings. If it has happened, I am sorry, he said.
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No more street vending on B’luru’s main roads, as govt plans to bring new policy for street hawkers
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday said that the state government has decided to formulate a new policy for footpaths in Bengaluru, under which street vending will not be allowed on main roads and sub-main roads.
Addressing the media after a budget preparation meeting and executive meeting of GBA corporations at Vidhana Soudha, Shivakumar said discussions were held with MLAs from the GBA region regarding the corporations’ budgets and key civic issues.
Leader of Opposition R. Ashok also participated in the meeting and shared his views. Officials from multiple departments, including police, BESCOM, BMRCL, BWSSB and BDA, along with ministers and legislators, were present.
He stated that all five municipalities have prepared their individual budgets, while MLAs have submitted their demands, including calls for ward-wise grants.
“We have decided to bring a new policy for footpaths. Citizens are struggling to walk as footpaths are encroached upon by street vendors,” Shivakumar said.
Highlighting the need to balance livelihoods and public convenience, he added that “a separate space will be provided for street vendors, and specific roads will be designated for their business,” ensuring that pedestrians can use footpaths without obstruction. He noted that there was unanimous agreement among MLAs on this approach.
Issuing a warning to vendors, Shivakumar said that authorities will act against those violating the rules. “If vendors operate during the day and leave their carts on the roadside at night, authorities will clear them. People should be aware of this,” he said.
Providing data on street vendors, he said that around 60,000 vendors have registered so far, of which 30,000 have applied for vehicles, and a tender has already been floated.
“Only those with street vendor identity cards will be allowed to do business. Those without ID cards will not be permitted to operate on the streets,” he added.
