Fact-Check: True. Professor in Sialkot fired due to his faith
In solidarity, another professor resigned, stating that it was an unjust campaign led by some teachers and students
Updated Tuesday Sep 24 2024
Posts on social media claim that a professor belonging to the Ahmadiyya community was fired from a college in Sialkot, Punjab, after students raised objections about his faith.
The claim is true.
Claim
On September 11, a social media user posted a video clip on X (formerly known as Twitter) showing a large number of students in uniform protesting. The caption accompanying the video stated that a "Qadiani" teacher was expelled from Superior College Sambrial, Sialkot.
The post has garnered over 43,000 views and more than 1,000 likes.
The text was also shared on Facebook as well.
Fact
The professor was indeed dismissed from the college after students protested against his religious affiliation, according to both the professor and a colleague who confirmed the event.
The professor, who preferred to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the issue, had been teaching Urdu and Pakistan Studies at the institution for 11 years. He explained to Geo Fact Check that on September 9, students began protesting and chanting slogans, accusing him of being an Ahmadi.
Shortly after, the professor received a call from the college administration advising him to seek another job.
Another anonymous professor at the college corroborated the story, confirming that the professor had been fired for "religious reasons." In solidarity, this professor resigned, stating that it was an unjust campaign led by other teachers and students.
Geo Fact Check reached out to the college principal, who declined to comment, citing directives from government officials to avoid discussing the matter.
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