Professor’s Offer to Resign after Video of “Marrying” Student in Class Goes Viral
Controversy Surrounding the Professor
A senior female professor at a university in West Bengal has found herself embroiled in a controversy after a video surfaced showing her participating in a mock wedding with a first-year student inside a classroom. The professor, who heads the department of Applied Psychology at Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology (MAKAUT), has now offered to resign from her position due to the fallout from the incident.
Resignation Offer
According to MAKAUT Registrar Partha Pratim Lahiri, the professor sent an email to the university expressing her inability to continue her association with the institution in light of the video circulating online. The professor cited being "mentally devastated" by the situation and thanked the university for the opportunity to work there for the past few years. The email, sent on February 1, is currently being processed by the university, and a decision on her resignation will be made at the appropriate time.
The Viral Video
The video, which went viral on January 28, depicted the professor dressed in bridal attire, participating in Hindu Bengali marriage rituals with a student. While the professor claimed it was part of a psycho-drama project staged with the consent of students and the university, it was met with widespread criticism and condemnation.
University Response
In response to the controversy, MAKAUT asked the professor to go on leave and formed a five-member inquiry panel, comprised of female faculty members, to investigate the incident. The panel’s findings contradicted the professor’s claims about the video’s purpose, labeling it as a "cheap skit" unsuitable for a senior faculty member.
Legal Action and Future Steps
The professor, who maintains that the video was leaked maliciously by a colleague to tarnish her reputation, has vowed to take legal action to restore her social and academic standing. Despite the ongoing investigation and public scrutiny, the professor has not made any further comments on the matter.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding the senior professor at MAKAUT has sparked debate and raised questions about professional conduct and ethics in academic settings. As the university continues to address the fallout from the incident, the professor’s resignation offer signifies a significant turning point in the ongoing saga.