"Language Has Nothing to Do With Religion" - Muslim scholar Salma Qureshi gets PhD in Sanskrit

Salma Qureshi is a Muslim student at Gujarat University. She obtained a PhD in the Sanskrit language; chose to study the subject of the teacher-disciple tradition of India. The 26-year-old woman was a student of Gujarat University‘s Sanskrit department and she had obtained her doctorate under the guidance of Atul Unagar. She was also the recipient of a gold medal during her MA from Bhavnagar University. She had graduated from Saurashtra University. Her doctoral research took almost three years as she had joined the Gujarat University PhD program in the year 2017.  She is keen about studies and aspires to be in academics.

Also Read: Christmas Is Officially On: Mariah Carey, Ariana Grande & Jennifer Hudson Gift Us ‘Oh Santa!’ Remix

Qureshi is currently doing a research on the subject. She said that her research is on the "subject of the teacher discipline tradition as depicted in the Vedas the Upanishads and the Puranas." She explained how she was interested in Sanskrit language since she was in school. Further added that she like reading the Vedas and Puranas and how herfamily did not have any objection to her taking up Sanskrit for her higher studies.

Also Read: Vice President-elect Kamala Harris Further Makes History, Picks An All-Female Senior Staff

She also said that since Hindu religious sculptures are in Sanskrit, it is believed it is the language of the gods. Times of India quoted her saying,"I believe language has nothing to do with any religion. Students should have the freedom to choose in whatever language they want to study."

She also explained that there was a teacher discipline tradition in the ancient times where students were taught to respect all in every society. Qureshi expressed her concern about the same as how this element is missing from the present educational system. She believes that Sanskrit should be taught compulsorily. She aspires to be a teacher of Sanskrit language.

Also Read: Timnit Gebru, Google’s Co-Head Of Ethical Artificial Intelligence Says She Was Fired For An Email

Khushi Gupta is an intern with SheThePeople.TV