The Karnataka Department of Pre-University Education has sought an explanation from a Kannada lecturer at a PU college in Malleswaram over his social media post that allegedly ridicules the Chandrayaan-3 mission. The lecturer, Hulikunte Murthy, who is also a Dalit activist, tweeted in Kannada allegedly claiming that “Chandrayaan-3 will be a failure…” Using the ‘Tirupati nama’ phrase, he allegedly said that the moon mission will fail this time around as well. It can be recalled that a team of ISRO scientists offered prayers at the Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh ahead of the Chandrayaan-3 launch. The deputy director of PU (Bengaluru North) said, “Murthy’s social media post on Chandrayaan-3 came to my notice on Monday. We have sought an explanation from the lecturer as to why he posted such a message. He will submit his reply on Wednesday. Based on it, we will take appropriate action.” Former education minister and BJP leader S Suresh Kumar has also written to the new School Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa seeking clarification for the lecturer’s conduct. In his letter to Bangarappa, Kumar said, “While the whole country was celebrating the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3, this lecturer posted this statement on the same day on his social media account. How can such a person motivate our students? I would like to seek clarification from Hulikunte Murthy and to warn this lecturer to be careful and not repeat this kind of irresponsible behavior again.”
