Jamia Millia Islamia suspends Social Work professor over question on ‘atrocities against Muslim minorities’

Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) has suspended a professor from its Department of Social Work over a semester 1 question on “atrocities against Muslim minorities”. Citing negligence and carelessness, the institute said a police FIR will be filed in the matter.

A suspension order was issued to Virendra Balaji Shahare, a professor at the Department of Social Work and the paper setter of “Social problems in India”. The office of registrar, Jamia , said that it received several complaints regarding a question in the BA (Hons) Social Work semester 1 exam.

The optional question asked in the semester 1 paper was: "Discuss the atrocities against Muslim Minorities in India giving suitable examples."

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In an order dated December 23, the university said Virendra Balaji Shahare, who is the paper setter, has been placed under suspension with immediate effect pending inquiry against him. The order was issued by the registrar.

“During the suspension period, the headquarters of Prof. Virendra Balaji Shahare. will be New Delhi and he shall not leave the headquarters without prior permission of the Competent Authority,” the order read.

A First Information Report (FIR) will also be filed as per rules, the order said.

Reacting to the question, senior advisor of the ministry of information and broadcasting, Kanchan Gupta, wrote on X: “Jamia Millia Islamia suspends Social Work Dept professor for extremely provocative and communally polarising question in Semester 1 question paper. Inquiry ordered. FIR being filed. JMI is a Central University with a mixed student community. The question shows malicious intent.”