The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Wednesday resolved a contentious case involving a college lecturer who alleged coercion by authorities to join the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The case was dismissed following assurances from the state government that it would address the lecturer’s concerns.
Justice Vivek Agarwal presided over the hearing, deciding to dispose of the petition without delving into the substantive merits of the case. The decision came after the state’s counsel, V.S. Choudhary, assured the court that the superintendent of police (SP) of Sidhi district would investigate the lecturer’s allegations.
The petitioner, serving as a guest faculty in commerce at the Government Arts and Commerce College in Majhauli, Sidhi, claimed he was pressured by college officials to participate in RSS activities. He alleged that his refusal led to threats and physical assaults, which he reported to local authorities, though without any resultant action.
In court, the state government’s advocate committed that the SP would not only review the complaints but also ensure any legitimate threats identified are addressed within seven days from the receipt of the court’s order. This commitment aims to mitigate any potential harm to the lecturer stemming from his allegations.
The lecturer’s counsel argued that the ideological demands placed on the petitioner were in direct conflict with his personal beliefs, highlighting the coercive nature of the pressure he faced from the college authorities.
