Mumbai: Making it clear that he will not accept defeat, a suspended Mumbai University professor has started teaching students on the footpath just outside the varsity premises.
Neeraj Hatekar was suspended for allegedly speaking up against the management.
On Tuesday, the professor started his 'open-air' lecture with around 40 students - girls and boys - listening to him sitting cross-legged on newspaper sheets put on on the footpath. A street dog was also seen walking around during the class.
Hatekar asked the students if they could hear him amid the noises of the public road. The students had made up their mind and they sat there taking notes as the professor spoke.
According to a report by NDTV, Hatekar said that he is doing this as he could not afford any other space in Mumbai.
"These students have come from various parts of the country. Some of them say they have come here after finding my name in the faculty list," he said while speaking to media.
The report says the classes will continue everyday between 3 PM and 5 PM.
The students said they will continue supporting Hatekar and will attend the classes on the footpath.
Hatekar was served a suspension notice by the Mumbai University management for 'violation of the university's code of conduct' and 'moral turpitude'. He was accused by authorities of providing false information to the media.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has also expressed its support for the suspended professor.
