Indian American Professor Dr. Johnson Varkey Reinstated After Legal Battle Defending Religious Liberty
Victory as Texas biology professor wins year-long fight against termination
In a significant victory for Indian American professor Dr. Johnson Varkey, an accomplished biology professor, his year-long legal battle culminated in his reinstatement after being terminated from his position. The decision follows Dr. Varkey’s staunch defense of his religious liberty and the filing of a discrimination charge against St. Philip’s College in Texas, US, and the Alamo Community College District (ACCD) with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Professor Varkey, an adjunct professor with an impressive 22 years of experience, faced an unlawful termination in January last year for teaching the scientifically accepted principle that X and Y chromosomes determine sex. The reinstatement comes after several members of Congress weighed in, advocating for Varkey to be reinstated following the filing of the lawsuit.
Kayla Toney, Associate Counsel for First Liberty Institute, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “He is excited by this outcome, and we are glad that ACCD did the right thing. Dr. Varkey looks forward to continuing to educate students at ACCD.”
Accusations of “religious preaching” debunked According to Dr. Varkey’s legal team, he consistently taught scientific principles related to human reproductive systems throughout his tenure. Varkey was accused of engaging in “religious preaching, discriminatory comments about homosexuals and transgender individuals, anti-abortion rhetoric, and misogynistic banter.” However, his lawyers maintained that Varkey never discussed his personal views on human gender or sexuality with students.
As an adjunct professor, Varkey taught Human Anatomy and Physiology at St. Philip’s College to more than 1,500 students over 22 years, imparting the same principles he was terminated for last year. The controversial incident occurred on November 28, 2022, when four students walked out of his class after he reiterated the scientifically accepted concept that sex is determined by X and Y chromosomes.
Varkey’s teachings based on research and study In his defense, Dr. Varkey argued that the college’s actions constituted unlawful religious discrimination under the First Amendment and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. As a Christian and a professor, Varkey asserted that he felt compelled to teach accurate and true concepts aligned with his extensive research and study in the field of human biology.
The reinstatement of Dr. Johnson Varkey marks the end of an intense legal battle, shedding light on the intersection of scientific teachings, religious beliefs, and academic freedom in educational institutions. The support from members of Congress throughout the lawsuit further underscores the broader implications of this case.
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