New Delhi: Prasad Pannian, an associate professor at the Central University of Kerala at Kasargod, has reportedly been suspended from the post of head of department, English and comparative literature, after he wrote a Facebook post in support of a Dalit research scholar, Ganthoti Nagaraju, who was arrested for breaking the glass pane of a fire alarm cabinet in the university hostel.“An act of misdemeanour has been criminalised is deeply disturbing… this is a minor offence that should have been settled on the campus itself. It is extremely saddening to know that our student is lying on the cold floor of the prison cell on charges of breaking a glass pane,” Pannian had said on Facebook on August 11.On Friday, the varsity suspended Pannian from his post, citing his comments on social media, The News Minute reported. “The Act of Dr Prasad Pannian is in violation of CCS Conduct Rules 1964 adopted by the University vide Ordinance No.34 and warrants Disciplinary proceedings against him,” the suspension order says, according to the website.Pro vice-chancellor of the university K. Jayaprasad told the Indian Express, “He [Pannian] has violated service rules. There had been several incidents in which he had criticised the university… There was a complaint from another faculty member of the same department against Pannian.”According to The News Minute, however, this is not the first “arbitrary” action the administration has taken again a student or faculty member. “It is all happening to people who criticise the administration,” the website quoted a source as saying. “This is the only university in Kerala under the Centre. So they want to paint a picture that they are being opposed because they are defending the Sangh parivar leadership. But this has nothing to do with the Sangh parivar. Students are protesting for their freedom and other rights, just like students do in any other college, or any other university. But they want to make out that these are all terrorists, Maoists and Dalit activists against the right-wing.”Several writers and activists have taken to social media to condemn the university’s actions against Pannian, the New Indian Express reported. “By targeting Pannian, the university is challenging the sense of justice and democratic tradition of Kerala society,” noted writer Sunil P. Elayidom said on Facebook.