The Faculty of Sanskrit Vidya Dharma Vigyan at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) has reopened, the university announced, after days of protests by a section of students over the appointment of a Muslim professor at the department.

“The Faculty of Sanskrit Vidya Dharma Vigyan, Banaras Hindu University, has reopened,” a tweet by the university said on Thursday.

A section of students have been demonstrating against Feroze Khan’s appointment at the department. Although the BHU has backed him, Khan has been unable to take classes. The protesters say only a Hindu can teach Sanskrit at the university in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi.

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Earlier, the vice-chancellor of BHU clarified that the appointment was made by a duly-appointed selection committee in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. Born in Rajasthan, Khan studied at Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, which is a deemed university under the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD). After completing his studies, he served here as guest faculty for three years. He has also been awarded the Sanskrit Yuva Pratibha Samman by Rajasthan government this year.

Source: PTI