Bengaluru University Professor Suspended for Alleged Hate Speech Against Student

A professor at a private university in Bengaluru has been suspended after allegedly calling a Muslim student a 'terrorist' multiple times during a lecture. The incident, which was captured on video and shared widely on social media, has led to significant backlash from students and organizations, who are demanding accountability and action against hate speech in educational settings. Concerns have also arisen regarding the deletion of CCTV footage that could have served as evidence. The university has initiated an internal inquiry following the incident, which has sparked discussions about discrimination and accountability in academic institutions.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 28, 2026, 15:18 IST

Controversial Classroom Incident Leads to Suspension

On March 24, a professor from a well-known private university in Bengaluru faced suspension after reportedly labeling a Muslim student as a "terrorist" multiple times during a lecture. This incident has sparked significant outrage among students, various student organizations, and the broader community, especially after a video of the event circulated widely on social media.

The incident occurred on the university's Banashankari Ring Road campus, with the video evidence surfacing shortly after the class. Allegations indicate that Professor Dr. Muralidhar Deshpande directed derogatory remarks at a student named Affan, referring to him as a “terrorist” at least 13 times in front of approximately 60 classmates.

In addition to the repeated slurs, the professor allegedly made inflammatory comments such as, “The Iran war happened because of people like you,” and “You are idiots, you will go to hell,” contributing to a hostile atmosphere for Affan.

The widely shared video shows the professor singling out the student and making offensive remarks, leading to widespread condemnation of the incident as an act of religious discrimination and hate speech within an educational setting.

Concerns have also been raised regarding the deletion of CCTV footage from the classroom, which could have provided crucial evidence in this case, prompting questions about accountability.

Moreover, reports suggest that some students who supported Affan were suspended for allegedly disrupting the class. While the professor issued a written apology to the administration, he did not apologize directly to Affan, with the department head reportedly doing so on his behalf. There are claims that the student faced indirect pressure following the incident.

In response, student groups, including the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), have filed a complaint, labeling the incident as “religious hate speech” and calling for stringent action against the professor.

In light of the public outcry, the university has suspended Professor Deshpande and announced an internal investigation into the matter.

This incident has raised significant concerns among students and the public, leading to demands for stronger measures to ensure accountability and prevent discrimination in educational institutions.