A guest professor at a college in Madhya Pradesh, India, experienced harassment and violence after declining to attend a meeting organized by a Hindu nationalist group. Ramjas Chaudhry, who teaches at the Government Arts and Commerce College in Sidhi district, says that some of his colleagues pressured him to attend the meeting associated with the RSS. Following his refusal, the situation reportedly escalated from verbal threats and abuse to a physical attack. This incident took place on September 12th of last year, according to Chaudhry.
Before the reported physical assault, Chaudhry faced numerous instances of harassment. He received threats and was subjected to verbal abuse for not participating in the RSS meeting. The situation demonstrates the challenges people face when they feel pressured to follow certain beliefs or ideologies, particularly in places like schools and colleges. This incident attracted considerable attention, which led Chaudhry to file a petition in the high court.
Consequently, the state government promised to take action on the matter. On Friday, the high court closed Chaudhry’s petition after receiving this assurance. Chaudhry also reported that he was the victim of a severe attack in October, describing it as a murderous assault. These attacks and the preceding harassment highlight the critical need for safe and respectful environments, especially within educational institutions.
This case brings attention to the issue of ideological pressure within schools and colleges. In addition, it underscores the importance of having legal channels for people who have been harassed and hurt. The state government has committed to taking action, but it is not yet clear what specific steps will be taken. The public will be watching to see if these actions will effectively prevent similar incidents in the future and ensure a safer environment for everyone.