Kozhikode, Feb 27 (NationPress) The Kozhikode District Congress Committee is set to hold a protest march towards the National Institute of Technology campus nearby on Friday, demanding the cancellation of the decision to appoint A. Shaija as the dean (planning and development) effective from April.

Shaija came under fire last year after she publicly praised Nathuram Godse in response to a social media post by a right-wing supporter.

In her remarks, Shaija stated she felt "pride" in Godse for assassinating Mahatma Gandhi, claiming he was responsible for "saving India".

Following her comments, she faced protests, leading to her arrest and subsequent release on bail.

At that time, she clarified, “My comment was not intended to commend the assassination of Gandhiji. I never aimed to do so. After reading Godse's book, 'Why I Killed Gandhi,' I learned he was also considered a freedom fighter. His book contains substantial information that many people are unaware of. Godse has provided insights in his writing. I commented on an advocate's Facebook post, but when I saw my words were being misinterpreted, I deleted it.”

In statements to IANS, Praveen Kumar, the district president of the Congress party, remarked, “We expect nothing less from the central government, which oversees the transfer and promotion of NIT faculty. This promotion serves as a reward for Shaija for commending Godse and tarnishing Gandhiji's legacy. What can we expect from a regime led by PM Modi and the RSS?

He further noted that Congress student activists protesting outside NIT faced police aggression.

“On Friday, the Congress party will protest outside the institution, demanding the cancellation of her promotion. We will not cease until our demands are addressed,” Kumar stated.

On Monday, the Union government announced Shaija's promotion from her current role as a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at NIT Calicut to the position of Dean.

As of now, Shaija has not responded to the planned protests.