Multiple videos allegedly showing a professor marrying a college student inside a classroom in West Bengal have gone viral, featuring wedding rituals such as 'haldi' and the exchange of garlands, raising concerns among university authorities. The incident took place at the Psychology Department of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology (MAKAUT), located in Haringhata, Nadia district. Below are the details surrounding the controversy.
Viral Video Shows Professor 'Marrying' Student In Class
Viral videos showing a senior female professor ‘marrying’ a student in a classroom at a state-run university in West Bengal sparked outrage, prompting an enquiry to be launched on January 29, 2025, officials reported. The videos as posted by Web Dunia English on Twitter, depicted the professor, dressed as a bride, and a first-year student performing various rituals of a Hindu Bengali wedding, including 'sindoor daan' and 'mala bodol.'
However, the professor defended the act, claiming it was a theatrical demonstration as part of her class. She explained to the university authorities that it was a psycho-drama exercise and not an actual wedding, according to NDTV.
The professor, Payal Banerjee, is seen in the videos wearing a bridal outfit and garlands. However, she denied that it was a real wedding, explaining that the act was part of an academic exercise intended for internal purposes only.
#westbengal female professor marries student in classroom.
— Webdunia English (@WDEng_Portal) January 30, 2025
As video went viral, she claimed ‘it was part of project’.#trendingvideos #viralvideo #makaut #makaut_university pic.twitter.com/VUnVIHA1Jm
In response to the controversy, she has been placed on leave while a three-member panel has been formed to conduct an investigation. Authorities emphasised that no decisive action would be taken until the investigation is completed.
Among the viral videos circulating on social media, one shows 'haldi' being applied to the student as part of Hindu wedding rituals, while another captures the two exchanging garlands and taking seven steps around a candle, symbolising the sacred fire. The student is also seen applying sindoor to the professor's hair parting and offering her a rose.
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Additionally, a university letterhead with signatures from both the professor and the student, along with the signatures of three witnesses from each side, has also gone viral. The document appears to show them accepting each other as spouses.Ms Banerjee, a psychology teacher, defended the act, stating that it was part of a ‘psychological drama’ designed to explain certain concepts in her class. She claimed that the video was leaked with the intent to tarnish her reputation, as reported by NDTV.
University Vice-Chancellor Defends Professor
MAKAUT's officiating Vice-Chancellor, Tapas Chakraborty, stated as per NDTV, "The professor has explained that it was part of a demonstration related to her subject, and the videos were not meant for external circulation."
He further emphasised, "She assured that there was no impropriety or immoral conduct involved, and it was purely an academic project. However, given the controversy and the videos going viral on social media, we have asked her to proceed on leave for the time being, until the committee submits its findings."
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Credits: WebDunia English X
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