Professor Under Fire for Viral ‘Wedding’ with Student
A professor from a government-funded university in West Bengal has come under scrutiny after a video of her enacting a wedding ceremony with a first-year student in a classroom went viral. The incident, which took place earlier this month at Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology (Makaut) in Nadia’s Haringhata, has led the university administration to launch an inquiry and place the professor on leave.
Professor Defends Actions
Dr. Payal Banerjee, the former head of applied psychology at Makaut, stated that the event was merely a part of a “wedding drama” performed during a freshers’ welcome program. She alleged that the video was deliberately leaked out of context by a “jealous colleague” to damage her reputation. Banerjee has threatened legal action against the individual responsible for sharing the clip.
Details of the Event
The viral clip shows Banerjee dressed in bridal attire, while the student, wearing a green sweatshirt, participates in the enactment of wedding rituals. The event appeared to be celebrated with enthusiasm as teachers, staff, and students cheered and took selfies. Additionally, an e-invite circulated online detailed a series of pre-wedding ceremonies, including a haldi event on January 9 and a mehndi and sangeet ceremony on January 14.
University’s Response
Interim Vice-Chancellor Tapas Chakrabarty confirmed that a five-member faculty committee has been formed to investigate the matter. However, he noted the timing of the video’s release was suspicious, as the event occurred on January 16, but the clip surfaced on social media only on January 28.
Allegations of Defamation
Speaking to the media, Banerjee insisted that the intent behind releasing the video now was to tarnish her image. She emphasized that the event was a planned cultural activity arranged by students, with other faculty members aware of the performance. According to her, students had created the e-invite and organized the entire skit, in which she participated solely at their request.
Mixed Reactions from Academics and Students
Several students came forward in Banerjee’s defense, asserting that the enactment was a form of “psychodrama,” a well-established psychological technique that uses role-playing to aid self-awareness and learning.
However, some senior academics raised concerns about the appropriateness of such an act, particularly involving a first-year student who may not yet be of legal marriageable age. One professor questioned the necessity of such an enactment, especially with semester examinations scheduled just days after the event. Critics argued that Banerjee should have exercised better judgment in accepting the students’ request.
Conclusion
While Banerjee maintains that her participation was innocent and part of an academic exercise, the controversy surrounding the incident has prompted serious discussions about professional boundaries in educational settings. The university’s inquiry will determine the next course of action based on its findings.
Source: Inputs from various media Sources
Priya Bairagi
Reviewed by Dr Aarti Nehra (MBBS, MMST)
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
