Jaipur: Based on a complaint registered by a local RSS leader, a tribal professor in Rajasthan is facing disciplinary action apparently for posting ‘anti-national’ and ‘anti-government’ comments on Facebook.

Ashutosh Meena, an assistant professor at the Seth Mangal Chand Choudhary government college in Abu Road, Rajasthan, has been charged for ‘improper’ conduct of being critical of the current regime by the district collector of Sirohi.

In his order dated December 28, Sandesh Nayak, then district collector, had written, “Meena had made unrestrained remarks against the government between 10 to 20 September, 2017 on Facebook, which are anti-social and potent to provoke religious sentiments. He is therefore, liable for disciplinary action corresponding to rule 4 and 11 of the Rajasthan Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1971.”

A disciplinary investigation was also ordered under rule 17 of the Rajasthan Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1958.

According to the Rajasthan Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, “public utterance of any fact or opinion which has the effect of an adverse criticism of any current or recent policy or action of the Central or a state government” by any government servant is prohibited.

On December 12 last year, when members of Hindu right-wing organisations unfurled a saffron flag in the college, Meena had condemned the act as ‘unconstitutional’. A local Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader then threatened the professor over phone, asking him to “be prepared to face the consequences”. Later, Meena was targeted on social media with comments like “Keep Meena on the radar” and “Don’t let Abu Road college convert into JNU”.

While the investigation proceedings against the professor began on December 28, the complaint to the collector was registered on January 1 this year.

In his complaint, Suresh Kothari, chairman of Urban Improvement Trust in Abu, had alleged that “Meena’s comments on social media are anti-social and anti-government, potent to have a negative impact on the students.”

When The Wire spoke to Kothari, he refused to comment, calling it a ‘confidential’ and ‘personal’ matter.

The comment, “Deen Dayal is your father, why are you making him our father?” is reportedly taken as the basis of the order issued by the district collector to the commissioner of college education to take strict action against the professor on December 28. On the same day, Meena was also issued a notice under rule 17 of the Rajasthan Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) rules, 1958, asking for a reply to his ‘anti-national and anti-government’ conduct.

Meena, in a written statement to the authorities said, “I haven’t posted any anti-national or anti-social post that could provoke religious sentiments. I am a constitutional, democratic and responsible citizen who believes in constitutional values.”

“It’s a struggle of ideology. Since, I’m active with RUCTA [a teachers’ organisations in Rajasthan, said to be affiliated with the Congress] and openly participate in its activities, therefore, some people are not able to tolerate it. Last year, after being elected as the district president of the Sirohi district of Rajasthan Shikshak Sangh Ambedkar, every kind of tortuous action is being taken against me in a malicious manner. ”

Hailing from Peeli village of Nadbai tehsil of Bharatpur district, Meena has been working in the government college in Abu Road for the last ten years. He is active on social media, expressing his views on a wide range of issues.

After Meena presented a written reply on January 18, the collector called him for a personal hearing on February 7, following which the charges were dropped.

However, the department of college education didn’t stop the proceedings against the professor brought before it by the collector himself. In April, the principal of Sirohi government college was appointed by the commissioner of college education to carry out the investigation in the matter.

“After a detailed inquiry, we have sent the report to higher officials. It’s a confidential issue and we cannot reveal anything now,” K.K. Sharma, principal of Sirohi government college told The Wire.

In the first week of July, Meena was transferred from Abu Road to Didwana.

“The suppression is such that on one side, the district collector has dropped the case against the professor and on the other hand, the commissioner of the college education – who was recommended by the collector to look into the matter – is taking action against him,” Bhawar Meghwanshi, an independent journalist and social worker told The Wire.

Sandesh Nayak, then district collector of Sirohi was not available comments.