“I think religion should not come in the way of education. If someone indulges in religious profiling of professors and teachers, nothing can be more unfortunate,” the professor said
At a time when the students of Benaras Hindu University in Uttar Pradesh concluded a 16-day agitation over the religious identity of a Sanksrit professor Dr Feroz Khan, a Bengal based college - Swami Vivekanda Vidyamandir College at Belur Math has appointed a Muslim professor to teach Sanskrit.
Ramzan Ali, a Sanskrit professor was appointed teach at Swami Vivekanda Vidyamandir College a week ago. His appointment comes at a time when the 16-day agitation has just come to an end at the BHU campus.
Ali, having a decade of experience in teaching Sanskrit has taught in several colleges in North Bengal. He was appointed at the said college through the College Service Commission and was recommended for having in-depth knowledge in the field of Sanskrit.
“I have had a decade-long experience in teaching Sanskrit. For me, Sanskrit is above religion, it embodies India’s unity and inclusiveness. I received a warm welcome from the students here. They haven’t indulged in any religious profiling of mine. They look up to me as their teacher irrespective of the religion I belong to. It has been five days since I have joined here. I haven’t faced any problems,” said Ali.
Adding, “I also want to thank the people of my village who encouraged me to first study the subject Sanskrit and then teach. My community or my religion has never come in the way of my passion for teaching the subject.”
Asked on how he sees the whole controversy around Dr Feroz Khan’s appointment as a Sanskrit teacher Ali says, “I think religion should not come in the way of education. If someone indulges in religious profiling of professors and teachers, nothing can be more unfortunate.”
On the other hand, the principal of Vidyamandir, Swami Shastrajnandaji Maharaj, feels there is nothing unusual about a Muslim professor being appointed at the college.
“This is not the first time that we have appointed a Muslim professor. We have professors belonging to the Muslim community or the Islam religion teaching several subjects here. It is very normal for us. We welcome all teachers here and we follow Swami Vivekananda’s teachings where we are told not to differentiate between religions,” said Swami Shastrajnandaji Maharaj.
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