Freedom of Speech vs. Secular Socialist Democratic Republic

Police have found prima facie evidence against J Prashanti, political science lecturer of the St. Ann's College for Women, Mehdipatnam.

The students of the college, taking umbrage at their lecturer's alleged remarks on Islam, resorted to demonstrations at the college forcing police to step in. Following this, a case was booked against her. Later, the college suspended her.

The Asif Nagar inspector of police would send his report to the public prosecutor for review and for further proceedings in court.

A case has been filed under section 153 A (promoting enmity between classes in places of worship, etc) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against Prashanti. [link]

It is not clear exactly what did the lecturer say that had her students' panties in tiny knots.

According to merinews:

She is reported to have said, "Islam is nothing...Quran is written by Satan...Prophet (SAW) P.B.U.H. is nothing, not to believe him. Whatever is happening in the world it’s because of Muslims...and there is no religion as Islam and Hinduism…there is only one religion and that is Christianity."

To this her students replied:

"Prashanti mam ko aaj pata chala Friday the 13th kya hai!!!!"

According to arabnews:

In the political science class for Bachelor of Arts (BA) final year, she asked the students to discuss Salman Rushdie and his writings.

When she spoke in favor of the author, who was recently conferred knighthood by the British government, and praised Satanic Verses, the girls objected. Thereupon, she made controversial remarks against Islam and the Holy Qur’an. Five students walked out in protest.

Again, on Friday, she made similar comments while taking a class of BA second year students. She told them not to follow the tenets of the Holy Qur’an.

According to andhracafe:

The students alleged that J. Prashanti, a political science lecturer of the college, had made the remarks after asking final year students to discuss Salman Rushdie and his writings.

When she spoke in favour of the writer, the students disputed with her. Then the lecturer allegedly made remarks against Islam and Holy Quran. "She repeated this thrice in two days," an agitating student said on condition of anonymity.

One of our correspondents tried to privately reach out to several intellectuals who had written passionate essays following the Vadodara MS University Art fiasco. Unfortunately none were available.