“Freedom of Speech Does Not Extend To Supporting Godse” Says Krishan Raj, Tacting Dean Shaija Andavan’s Fury
A heated controversy regarding free speech versus historical sensitivity is emerging from NIT Calicut, where the Dean of Students Shaija Andavan finds herself facing justified wrath for allegedly defending and providing a rationale for Nathuram Godse’s assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. Advocate Krishna Raj has submitted a complaint for her dismissal and as a result, he has unwittingly stirred up a national controversy.
The Controversial Allegations
Social Media Post: As reported, Andavan is said to have published an article “Godse: The Patriot India Erased“ on her privately held account.
Class Comments: Students say that in one of her lectures, she referred to Gandhi’s assassination as “A political necessity, not a crime.”
Legal Request: Krishna Raj’s complaint says that her deeds are in contravention of Section 153A of the Indian Penal Code (Causing Enmity).
Major Factions in the Controversy
Advocate Krishna Raj:
“Godse is no patriot of ‘India’ and to celebrate him is no academic value. It is only terrorism and would she allow for Hitler in Germany to have his way?”
Shaija Andavan’s Defense:
“The intention was engagement within an academic discussion. Dissent is a value that Gandhi himself spoke a lot about. Violence is wrong.”
Student Responses:
“She’s fueling us with her hatred!” – Anonymous engineering student.
“We are here to analyze issues, not to adore statues.” – Fot Andavan protestors.
The shocking Side of It
NIT Calicut’s Profile: 20th on the list for best engineering colleges in India but constantly struggling with reputation issues.
Political Hotspot: Congress ties the matter with: “something we’ve heard the RSS infiltrate” while BJP calls it “As an outburst of leftist zealotry.”
Social Impact: Changes the way the concept of academic freedom is viewed in India.
Sequence of the Controversy
Date Event
Feb 22 Andavan posts article on WhatsApp.
Feb 24 Internal complaint submitted by students group to the higher authorities.
Feb 26 Police complaint by Krishna Raj goes on various platforms.
Feb 27 Inquiry committee formed by NIT.
Social Media Sparks
Hashtags that are trending.
#FireShaijaAndavan (1.2M tweets)
#AcademicFreedomUnderAttack (890K tweets)
Memes: Gandhi vs Godse face-offs are now flooding Instagram Reels.
Petitions: Change.org demand for her removal hits 150k signatures.
What’s Next?
NIT Panel Deadline: Report due March 10.
Legal Path: Kerala High Court likely to hear plea next week.
Political Fallout: UDF vs NDA rallies set in Kozhikode.
The Bigger Battle
This controversy taps into some of the rawest nerves in India:
Gandhi’s Legacy: The ultimate test of modern day nationalism.
Campus Politics: The increasingly pervasive far-right versus left battles.
Free Speech: How much dissent is considered “anti-national?”
Final Word
While NIT Calicut’s campus turns into one more site of ideological conflict in India, a recurring question that exists in the minds of the citizens is, can the universities deal with the glorification of violence while discussing the divisive history?
