Aligarh:
A professor of the Aligarh Muslim University on the verge of retirement has been fired for being gay.
This new controversy has re-ignited the homosexuality debate on the university's campus and both students and teachers stand divided.
Just a few months away from retirement, this was the last thing Professor Shrinivas Siras, 64, had expected.
"After this incident, people look at me strangely. A lady doctor in my neighbourhood always used to give me medicines etc but after that, when I went to get my BP tested, she said her machine was broken. I know how people are reacting to me. Conservatives are there but there number is small," says Professor Shrinivas Siras of Department of Modern Indian Languages.
When the university bosses saw a secretly made videotape showing Shrinivas Siras with a rickshaw puller at his university accommodation, they were outraged and sacked the professor for 'gross misconduct.'
"The teacher community in AMU is to teach moral values along with other subjects. So no one should be allowed to devalue that," says Professor Saud-alam-kazmi of the Department of Theology.
Siras has been given seven days to vacate the premises. He jokes what 20 years of service could not do, one sting operation has done. He says he's being victimized.
Last year the Delhi High court decriminalised homosexuality. But it seems in the corridors of AMU, an extreme homophobia still lurks. Although officially, the university won't admit it.
"It has got nothing to do with homosexuality. The university received a complaint on moral
grounds," says Rahat Abrar, the PRO of the university.
On the university's campus, both students and teachers stand divided on the issue.
"There are so many vices here in the Capital. Why just highlight homosexuality? Many people in the university can be implicated in these vices. A teacher is what he teaches in class and not what he does he at home. AMU can't take a moral stand on this," says Adil Hyusain, a student of the university.
"This is something that is not accepted by any religion and is rejected by 99% people in the world. So what are we to do about?" says Dr Shakil Samdani, Professor, Department of Law.
"How can people dare to enter someone's house? There is a conspiracy but we go by traditions here in the university. I doubt people will support him here openly," says Professor Shamim Ahmed of the Women's Polytechnic College, AMU.
As Professor Siras packs his bags, voices of support from all over the country have emboldened him.
"I spent two decades here. I love my University. I have always loved it and will continue to do so no matter what. But I wonder if they have stopped loving me because I am gay," says Professor Siras.
This new controversy has re-ignited the homosexuality debate on the university's campus and both students and teachers stand divided.
Just a few months away from retirement, this was the last thing Professor Shrinivas Siras, 64, had expected.
"After this incident, people look at me strangely. A lady doctor in my neighbourhood always used to give me medicines etc but after that, when I went to get my BP tested, she said her machine was broken. I know how people are reacting to me. Conservatives are there but there number is small," says Professor Shrinivas Siras of Department of Modern Indian Languages.
When the university bosses saw a secretly made videotape showing Shrinivas Siras with a rickshaw puller at his university accommodation, they were outraged and sacked the professor for 'gross misconduct.'
"The teacher community in AMU is to teach moral values along with other subjects. So no one should be allowed to devalue that," says Professor Saud-alam-kazmi of the Department of Theology.
Siras has been given seven days to vacate the premises. He jokes what 20 years of service could not do, one sting operation has done. He says he's being victimized.
Last year the Delhi High court decriminalised homosexuality. But it seems in the corridors of AMU, an extreme homophobia still lurks. Although officially, the university won't admit it.
"It has got nothing to do with homosexuality. The university received a complaint on moral
grounds," says Rahat Abrar, the PRO of the university.
On the university's campus, both students and teachers stand divided on the issue.
"There are so many vices here in the Capital. Why just highlight homosexuality? Many people in the university can be implicated in these vices. A teacher is what he teaches in class and not what he does he at home. AMU can't take a moral stand on this," says Adil Hyusain, a student of the university.
"This is something that is not accepted by any religion and is rejected by 99% people in the world. So what are we to do about?" says Dr Shakil Samdani, Professor, Department of Law.
"How can people dare to enter someone's house? There is a conspiracy but we go by traditions here in the university. I doubt people will support him here openly," says Professor Shamim Ahmed of the Women's Polytechnic College, AMU.
As Professor Siras packs his bags, voices of support from all over the country have emboldened him.
"I spent two decades here. I love my University. I have always loved it and will continue to do so no matter what. But I wonder if they have stopped loving me because I am gay," says Professor Siras.
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