Sanjay Kumar, an assistant professor of Sociology in Mahatma Gandhi Central University, Motihari, suffered multiple injuries, though doctors have ruled out any serious wounds.
An assistant professor in Bihar's East Champaran district was allegedly thrashed by a mob for criticising former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in his social media post on Friday. The police has lodged an FIR against 12 persons in connection with the case, a senior cop said on Saturday.
Sanjay Kumar, an assistant professor of Sociology in Mahatma Gandhi Central University, Motihari, suffered multiple injuries, though doctors have ruled out any serious wounds.
The incident took place on Friday, when Kumar in a post on Facebook, called Vajpayee a "Sanghi, whose oratory skills made Hindutva politics sexy for Indian middle class". Kumar also wrote that "calling him Nehruvian is a misreading of history." Kumar, in a separate post, added that "Vajpayee's death had ended the fascist era. He has commenced his eternal journey."
"This apparently did not go down well with some of his students and locals, who attacked him at his home on Friday and thrashed him. He was rushed to a local hospital from where he was referred to Patna," a police official said.
A purported video and photographs of Kumar's thrashing went viral in the media on Saturday, but the police said they are yet to establish a connection between Kumar's beating and the said social media post.
East Champaran SP Upendra Kumar Sharma said campus infighting could not be ruled out in the case and that the police was investigating the matter.
In his complaint, Kumar too has said that the social media post was only an excuse as his attackers wanted him to resign for raising voice against the "Vice Chancellor, a staff of a local daily and others." Kumar has identified Rahul Pandey, Sunny Vajpayee and Aman Bihari Vajpayee among the 20-25 people who attacked him.
Kumar has also alleged that his attackers dragged him a certain distance while beating and tried to pour petrol on him in a bid to burn him alive and has demanded action against all accused.
The Opposition attacked the government over the incident with RJD leader Tejashwi Prasad Yadav saying, "What's this going on Mr CM? RSS goons in direct patronage of RSS programmed V-C assaulted and almost lynched a Professor, they poured petrol to burn him alive. Nitish Ji, why don't you open a RSS Shakha in CM house and be its sanchalak?"
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