Veteran actor and former BJP MP Paresh Rawal has condemned the ongoing lockout by students at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) over the protest about a Muslim professor, who is teaching Sanskrit in the university.

A Muslim scholar of Sanskrit is hiding after protests from some right wing Hindu students claiming that, as a Muslim, he cannot teach Sanskrit, the ancient classical language of Hinduism.

The professor named as Feroz Khan, was the unanimous choice of a selection committee at Banaras Hindu University in Varansai for the post of assistant professor of Sanskrit literature. His erudition, which stems from a childhood passion for the language that continued into further education impressed the selecting committee.

Looking into the matter, Bollywood’s veteran actor Paresh Rawal raised his voice in support of Muslim Sanskrit Professor Feroz Khan and expressed concerns over the protest held against the hiring of the educationist.

He took to Twitter and wrote in a series of thread,

Stunned by the protest against professor Feroz Khan !what language has to do with Religion!?!?!? Irony is professor Feroz has done his masters and PhD in Sanskrit !!! For Heavens sake stop this god damn idiocy !

Stunned by the protest against professor Feroz Khan !what language has to do with Religion!?!?!? Irony is professor Feroz has done his masters and PhD in Sanskrit !!! For Heavens sake stop this god damn idiocy !

— Paresh Rawal (@SirPareshRawal) November 19, 2019

Rawal stated, “By same logic great singer late Shri Mohammad Rafi ji should not have sung any BHAJANS and Naushad Saab should not have composed it”.

By same logic great singer late Shri Mohammad Rafi ji should not have sung any BHAJANS and Naushad Saab should not have composed it !!!!

— Paresh Rawal (@SirPareshRawal) November 19, 2019