NIT-Calicut professor who praised Godse appointed as Dean; political parties protest

Political parties have strongly opposed Shaija's appointment as Dean. DYFI, the youth wing of the CPI(M), has announced a protest march to NIT.

Thiruvananthapuram: The decision of the National Institute of Technology - Calicut at Kozhikode in Kerala to appoint professor Shaija Andavan as a dean has triggered a row as she was earlier booked for praising Nathuram Godse on Mahatma Gandhi's death anniversary last year.

Andavan, who is a professor in the mechanical engineering department, was appointed as dean (planning and development).

Sources said that the appointment was made as per the norms and the case against her in connection with praising Godse could not be considered as a disqualification.

In her comment, Shaija had allegedly expressed "pride" in Godse for assassinating Mahatma Gandhi and thus "saving India".

The Kunnamangalam police in Kozhikode had registered a case against her on the basis of the controversial social media post praising Godse. The case was also charge-sheeted.

Congress and left-parties on Wednesday raised strong protest against the decision and demanded NIT-C to revoke it. DYFI, the youth wing of the CPI(M), has announced a protest march to NIT.

NIT-C authorities were yet to make any clarification on the matter.

The order from the Director has instructed Shaija to work alongside the current Dean, Dr Priya Chandran, until March 7 to facilitate a "smooth changeover".

As per the order, this appointment is initially for two years, until further orders.

Shaija was questioned by Kunnamangalam police at her residence in Chathamangalam. Kunnamangalam court granted her anticipatory bail.

The police had registered a case under Section 153 of the IPC (Wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riots).

(With PTI inputs)