Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, December 3, 2024 – A professor at Sri Venkateswara University (SVU) has come under fire for allegedly promoting religious conversion among students by teaching from the Bible instead of academic subjects. The incident, which took place in the university’s engineering college, has sparked protests from the Bajrang Dal, a right-wing Hindu group. The group accused Professor Changayya of violating university regulations by using the Bible for teaching, while also allegedly insulting Hindu deities and mentally harassing students.
The Bajrang Dal further raised concerns after identifying religious photos and literature of other faiths in the professor’s office. They submitted a petition to the Vice-Chancellor, demanding immediate action against Changayya and citing audio recordings of his religious teachings. The group accused the university’s administration of inaction on the issue.
The protest led to a confrontation when Bajrang Dal members demanded an explanation from the professor, resulting in a minor altercation. Changayya’s car was reportedly stoned, and the police intervened to manage the situation. A complaint about religious propaganda had already been lodged with university authorities by a female faculty member two days earlier.
In response to the uproar, the college principal, Acharya Srinivasa Rao, stated that a committee would be formed to look into the allegations and take appropriate action against the professor if necessary.
