Madhya Pradesh HC Stays Suspension Of Sanskrit Professor Who Predicted 300 Seats For BJP [Read Order]

The Madhya Pradesh High Court granted interim relief to a Sanskrit Professor who was suspended for violating model code of conduct.

Dr. Raju Musalgaonkar, the head of the Sanskrit department at Vikram University, was suspended after he posted on social media that BJP would secure around 300 seats.

Justice Vivek Rusia, after hearing the application for urgent hearing during summer vacation, also issued notice to the University.

The University had taken this action against the professor after a complaint was made by Bablu Khinchi, secretary of the state Youth Congress, demanding the termination of Dr. Musalgaonkar's services for uploading posts favouring BJP, which he claimed violated the EC's model code of conduct.

According to the professor, the prediction of BJP getting more than 300 seats was a result of astrological analysis and astrology is one of the subjects taught by him. He contended that after the conclusion of such discussion one of the students posted the result of such academic discussion though the mobile phone of Dr Musalgaonkar.

It was further contended that he is neither Government Servant nor he has been employed in any election duty in the Lok Sabha Election 2019 and thus the Model Code of Conduct does not apply to him. Dr Musalgaonkar further alleges that this suspension order has been passed under the undue influence of the ruling political party in the State. 

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