Viral videos show Bengal university professor 'marrying' student inside classroom, authorities order probe

The video showed Professor Payal Banerjee even performing rituals like 'haldi; and the exchange of garlands, putting the university officials on alert.

An official said the purported incident occurred at the Psychology Department of the Haringhata Technology College in Nadia, about 150 km from Kolkata. The college functions under the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology (MAKAUT).

The professor is seen wearing a bridal outfit and garlands in the video.

However, she denied the allegations stating that it was not a real wedding but was an act of an academic exercise meant for internal use.

"We were doing an act as a part of a psychological drama. I had no idea how these videos were uploaded to social media to target me. I am thankful to the university authorities for at least letting me prove my point. My only fault was not to inform the authorities but since this drama involved few students and could be done inside a classroom there was no need for permission," she told a local television channel.

The university authorities have formed a three-member panel to look into the incident and sent the professor on leave till the probe is completed.

"We cannot take any stern action without proper investigation," the official told local media.

Among the videos circulating on social media, one showed 'haldi' being smeared on the student as per the Hindu wedding rituals while the other showed the two exchanging garlands and taking seven steps around a candle resembling the sacred fire.

The student is also seen putting sindoor on her hair partings and offering her a rose.

A university letterhead with the signatures of the professor and the student, accepting each other as their spouse, has also gone viral as well.

It also carries the signatures of three witnesses from each side.