Shaija Andavan, a professor at NIT Calicut (NITC) is currently facing a police investigation for praising Nathuram Godse on the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s martyrdom
On January 20, 2024, Shaija faced backlash after commenting, “Proud of Godse for saving India,” under a post that celebrated Nathuram Godse as a hero.
The comment was in response to an image of Godse shared by Hindutva advocate Krishna Raj and the post, made on Martyrs’ Day, which marks Gandhi’s assassination, led to widespread outrage and criticism from various quarters.
Who is Shaija Andavan, new NIT Calicut (NITC) Dean who praised Nathuram Godse in Facebook comment, biography, age, education and career
The National Institute of Technology-Calicut (NIT) Director has now nominated Dr. Shaija Andavan as the Dean of the Planning and Development Department, effective March 7, 2025.
Following complaints from groups like DYFI, SFI, and the Youth Congress regarding her social media post praising Godse in response to a message shared by a right-wing advocate, Shaija was arrested and freed on bail in February of last year.
Shaija Andavan was said to have expressed “pride” in Godse for killing Mahatma Gandhi and “saving India” in her reply.
Dr. Shaija Anadavan has been appointed as the dean of NIT Calicut, violating seniority norms. She has two extraordinary qualifications, which made her eligible for this elevation.
a. She 'owns' NIT Calicut
b. She is proud of Godse, not GandhiWill NIT Calicut too join IIT… pic.twitter.com/Q1DElmGYb3
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) February 26, 2025
The selection of Shaija Andavan as Dean of NIT Calicut now has been met with substantial opposition from political parties. The CPI(M) youth section, DYFI, has declared a protest march to NIT.
Dr Shaija is a Professor Department of Mechanical Engineering in NIT Calicut Kerala. While her DOB isn’t known, she is aged between 50-60 years.
Educational Qualifications
Ph.D, Natural Convection and Surface Radiation in Annuli, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore,
M. Tech., Thermal Science and Engineering, IIT Bombay,
B. Tech., Mechanical Engineering, University of Calicut
Present Responsibilities
- Overall In-charge – Thermal Sciences Laboratories
- B.Tech Project Co-ordinator since 2015
- PG (Enery Engg.& Mangt) – Program Coordinator since 2018
- Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) – Chairperson, since Feb 2022
- Chairperson AQMC, MED
- Institute Anti Ragging Committee – Member
- Chairperson, Centre for Clean Energy and Circular Economy
In order to ensure a “smooth changeover,” the Director has directed Shaija to collaborate with Dr. Priya Chandran, the current Dean, until March 7. Dr. Priya Chandran is a professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, whose term as Dean (Planning and Development) is coming to an end.
This appointment is originally valid for two years, or until subsequent orders are issued, in accordance with the order.
Previously, at her Chathamangalam home, Shaija was questioned by Kunnamangalam police and was granted anticipatory bail by the Kunnamangalam court.
Section 153 of the IPC (Wantonly giving provocation with intent to provoke riots) was the basis for the police’s case registration.
Shaija Andavan’s response
In her defence, the professor had stated last year, “My comment was not to appreciate the killing of Gandhiji. I never wanted to do so. I had read Godse’s book, ‘Why I Killed Gandhi.’ Godse was also a freedom fighter. There is a lot of information and revelations in his book, which the common man does not know. Godse has enlightened us in his book. Against this backdrop, I had commented on the advocate’s Facebook post. When I realised that people have started distorting my comment, I deleted it.”
NIT कालीकट की प्रोफेसर डॉ. शैजा अंदावन ने महात्मा गांधी के हत्यारे नाथूराम गोडसे की तारीफ की थी.
प्रोफेसर डॉ. शैजा अंदावन ने कहा था- 'भारत को बचाने के लिए गोडसे पर गर्व है'
अब डॉ. शैजा अंदावन को NIT कालीकट का डीन बना दिया है. #MahatmaGandhi | #ShaijaAndavan pic.twitter.com/l0GOFO05Y0
— Dainik Live (@Dainik_Live) February 27, 2025
“This is the latest example of NIT Calicut becoming an important centre of communalisation that the Sangh Parivar government at the centre is implementing in the country’s education sector, following the footsteps of the New Education Policy,” the students’ body said in a statement.