Symbiosis professor held for hurting religious sentiments
By Pune Pulse
August 4, 2023
Pune: Symbiosis professor Ashok Sopan Dhole was arrested by the city police under Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code for spreading religious hatred. This came hours after Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce (SCAC) suspended him for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Hindu deities during a class. According to reports, the college and police authorities based their actions on a video being circulated on social media.
The arrest was made after a complaint was filed by Ravindra Padwal, a member of the ‘Samast Hindu Bandhav’ organization, with the Deccan Gymkhana police.
Pragati Karad, a member of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) said, ‘The students reported the matter to the Symbiosis administration, but no strict action seemed to have been taken against the professor. A video of the professor insulting Hindu deities was taken by some students of the class, after which some students brought the matter to the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad.’
Vipin Hasabnis, Senior Inspector, Deccan Gymkhana said, ‘An FIR has been registered and a thorough investigation will be carried out.”
As per the information received, the registered FIR lists the alleged comments made by Dhole and further states that the accused intentionally made derogatory comments against Hindu deities that were promoted and attempted to incite animosity among students and hurt religious sentiments. Yesterday, the ABVP staged a protest outside the college on Senapati Bapat Road, demanding strict action against the teacher.
