Sharda University asks a question on 'Hindutva-Fascism' during exam; suspends prof Waqas Farooq Kuttay for setting question

In a very shocking development, Uttar Pradesh's Sharda University has come under the scanner for asking Hinduphobic questions in the first-year BA political science question paper. As per the reports, Hindus were equated to fascists in a question paper set for the BA Political Science batch of 2021-2022.

 

 

This matter comes to light after photos of the question paper goes viral on social media. Sharing photos of the question paper, BJP's Vikash Preetam Sinha said the question paper was set by a Muslim teacher.

 

During a mid-term exam, the university asked BA Political Science students to find similarities between Hindutva and Fascism/Nazism. Question 6 in section B of the political science paper on the subject of Political Ideologies read, “Do you find any similarities between Fascism/Nazism and Hindu right-wing (Hindutva)? Elaborate with the argument.”

 

After the massive outrage, the university constituted a three-member committee of senior faculty members to "look into the possibility of bias in the questions.

 

 

 

After the investigation, Sharda University issued a detailed show-cause notice to professor Waqas Farooq Kuttay for including a Hinduphobic question in the first-year BA political science paper. He has reportedly been suspended by the University.

 

“While the university has constituted a three-member committee of senior faculty members to look into the possibility of bias in the questions asked from the 1st year BA Political Science (Hons) students, pending this inquiry, the university has suspended the faculty concerned, Mr. Waqas Farooq Kuttay, Assistant Professor (Ad Hoc). The university regrets that such an incident has taken place that may have the potential for fomenting social discord,” a statement issued by the university on Friday read.

 

The statement also stated that it found the question objectionable and that examiners will ignore it for the purpose of awarding marks. The authorities also said that they are “totally averse to any line of thought which distorts the great national identity and the inclusive culture inherent in our national ethos”.

.

.