Mayawati backs BHU professor Feroze Khan, says 'better if government pays attention to row'

Several students of Sanskrit Vidya Dharm Vijnan have been protesting against Khan's appointment citing his religion.

Slamming the government, Mayawati tweeted, "The uncertain attitude of the administration or government is keeping the controversy over PhD. scholar Feroze Khan's appointment on hold. The controversy created by some people who linked education with extreme politics cannot be justified."

"The appointment of a Muslim Sanskrit scholar by BHU as a teacher will be considered as a correct patronage of talent. No one should be allowed to discourage this appointment. It is better if the government pays attention to the matter," she added.

A group of 30-odd students of Sanskrit literature has been protesting for around two weeks demanding the cancellation of Professor Khan's appointment and holding fresh recruitment.

One of the students, as NDTV reported, said they are not citing Khan's religion but saying the tradition is not followed.

"I think the media is distorting it. We are not fighting against someone from any particular religion but we are aghast that things are not happening according to tradition," Krishan Kumar, the protester, has been quoted by NDTV.

Kumar also said Professor Khan must go to the department of Sanskrit and teach.

Professor Khan, who is disturbed by the whole row, told The Indian Express, "All my life, I learnt Sanskrit and I was never made me realise I am a Muslim, but now when I am trying to teach, suddenly it has become the only subject."

Though no classes were held since he joined the faculty on Nov 7, Khan still believes the students will accept him.

Dev Pujari, the national organisation secretary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), called the students' protest as "absurd".

Veteran actor Paresh Rawal said he is "stunned by the protest" of the students to not allow Khan in the Sanskrit faculty.

"Stunned by the protest against professor Feroze Khan. What has language to do with religion? Irony is professor Feroze has done his masters and PhD in Sanskrit (sic)," Paresh Rawal tweeted.

"By same logic great singer late Shri Mohammad Rafi ji should not have sung any bhajans and Naushad Saab should not have composed it," he added,