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UoH Hindi Department Apologizes After Alleged Homophobic Remarks by Guest Speaker

Student protests led officials to distance the department from the comments, committing to compulsory gender sensitisation.

Overview

  • Author Neerja Madhav allegedly called homosexuality "unnatural" and linked queer communities to disease, with students saying she singled out a queer attendee.
  • Protesters gheraoed her vehicle as she left campus and demanded an apology, according to videos from the scene.
  • In a January 20 clarification, the department said it did not agree with all views expressed and that any remarks made outside the hall were the speaker’s personal responsibility.
  • After discussions with students, the head of the department apologized for inviting her, said such speakers would not be invited again, and agreed to compulsory gender-sensitisation classes with student representatives.
  • Madhav later shared media coverage on Facebook and refused to apologise, while students and officials cited similar complaints last semester that had already prompted a sensitisation mandate.