Brody's Notes... Aligarh Muslim University Professor Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras Found Dead

Professor Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras    Photo By Reuters

By Brody Levesque (Washington DC) Apr 9 | Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras, an openly Gay professor who was suspended on charges of "gross misconduct" on campus following his homosexual act with a rickshaw puller, from teaching duties and forced to leave his university provided housing, and who had recently had his reinstatement ordered by a local appellate court, has been found dead.

A spokesperson for Orinam.net, an Indian LGBT organisation dedicated to assisting Gay & Lesbian Indians has demanded an impartial investigation into the mysterious death of Dr. Siras. 

A statement released by a coalition of organisations working for LGBT rights along with Orinam read:

"We, as concerned citizens -- and for many of us, as gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Indians ourselves --  express our shock, outrage and deep sadness at the loss of a teacher, a loyal member of the AMU community, a gay man, and a kind, gentle soul.We demand that the police conduct a full, fair and impartial investigation into the cause of death. A step in the right direction has been taken by sending his body for a post-mortem examination. The results of this examination must be made public immediately," the statement said.

"That Dr Siras had to undergo the trauma, fear, harassment and humiliation in his own beloved university in what would turn out to be his last weeks is condemnable. If these events and that trauma are in any way linked to his death, then all actors involved must be held culpable," it added.

Siras was found dead in his home on Wednesday with blood oozing out of his mouth.  The death of professor Siras is a mystery with local provincial police today saying it could be a case of suicide or heart attack.