MYSURU: The controversy surrounding beef eating in a public place engulfed journalism and mass communication professor attached to University of Mysore , B P Mahesh Chandra Guru , as BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje on Tuesday approached governor and chancellor Vajubhai Vala, seeking that Guru be sacked.Accusing the professor of violating rules governing government servants, she said Guru targeted PM Narendra Modi on the ban on cow slaughter, which she said is in violation of the conduct and civil service rules.However, the professor stood his ground and said he has not violated any rules but exercised his right to freedom of speech and expression, guaranteed in the Constitution.The varsity said it has not received any communication from either the Raj Bhavan or government, neither has it asked the professor to explain.Meanwhile, BJP activists protested against eating of beef in public and sought action, while the CPM threw its lot behind the professor and others who registered their protest against the cattle ban by eating beef.DC D Randeep told TOI he is awaiting a report on the incident from the Kannada and culture department. Guru is accused of speaking against the PM at a Sunday event on food practices and freedom of expression, at Kalamandir .The issue snowballed into a controversy after some of the speakers ate beef, which BJP activists questioned and symbolically cleansed the venue.In her letter to the governor, Karandlaje said: "Guru delivered a speech in which he abused and criticized PM Shri Narendra Modi as well as the Union government on the ban on cow slaughter. This despicable conduct of Prof Mahesh Chandra Guru is clear violation of the Conduct and Civil Service Rules."While asking the governor to sack the professor, she argued that action against the professor is crucial "in order to ensure that the tendency to violate rules with impunity and take people in high positions for granted is curbed".Karandlaje had argued that it was Guru who is "the brain behind organizing the beef festival".The professor denied that he had organized the event."I'm a social activist and have every right to assess the performance of the PM. Just because I'm a government servant, I cannot stay silent at social events which have far reaching consequences."

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