Odisha professor in a private university in Bhubaneshwar was asked to quit her job after her statement on live TV debate highlighted that India shouldn’t go for war against Pakistan after the Pulwama attack. The professor identified as Madhumita Ray teaches Development Theory and Practice and Sociology at the School of Rural Management of the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT).
Her remark advocating peace between India and Pakistan post the Pulwama attack was telecasted on Kanak News on February 18 where she was involved in the debate with retired Indian Army Colonel Purna Chandra Patnaik. It was when she advocated that India shouldn’t go for war against Pakistan after the Pulwama attack wherein 44 CRPF paramilitary soldiers were martyred.
“On February 20, I was ordered by the management to resign and leave the university within 24 hours. I did so on the next day,” Madhumita Ray was quoted by Odisha Sun Times. The university then claimed that people gave complaints against her as they went on to call her “anti-national”.
“I was summoned by the disciplinary committee of the university and told people were offended because of the things I had said against the army and against war, and that my views were not popular among the people,” Professor Ray said, adding that she was not warned over it.
“As I was a regular employee there and my contract says I can have a notice period of one month when it comes to quitting the job. But I was told that I had to leave within 24 hours and I submitted my resignation letter,” she echoed.
The brave professor is not taking back her words as she feels she said the right thing and added that she stands by her words. “I feel what I said is right and stand by my words. War is not at all a solution.”
(With Odisha Sun Times inputs)
