Ramasamy said the university should hold an internal inquiry into the matter and sack the author involved in the offending PowerPoint slides.

“I am sure the VC is not involved in this. Why must he say sorry?

“The person responsible for the whole debacle should be terminated immediately,” he told FMT.

He was commenting on the apology today by UTM’s Vice-Chancellor Prof Wahid Omar over the demeaning slides.

Among the controversial points in the slides were that Islam introduced the meaning of personal hygiene to Hindus in India.

Another slide also claimed that “Sikhism founder Kabir” did not fully understand Islam and was influenced by the surrounding Hindu community.

Wahid has also promised to investigate the incident as well as take necessary action.

Ramasamy noted that such incidences were not isolated and were happening “way too often”.

“Universities are a microcosm of politics. What the VC has done is commendable but the culprit’s head must roll.”

Ramasamy also said the Education Ministry’s attempt to “wrap up” the issue was also despicable and unprofessional.

Ramasamy said Deputy Education Minister P Kamalanathan’s statement on the issue was weak at its best.

“By right, the prime minister and the education minister must speak up on this matter. No point getting an MIC minister to be involved.”

Meanwhile, MIC Youth Chief C Sivarraajh hailed UTM’s calls to investigate the matter but reminded that the perpetrator must be held accountable.

“Investigation is a good thing. They should do a thorough investigation on the matter.

“But, just apologising itself won’t do because this isn’t the first time.

“Make sure that there are investigations and action is taken.”

Sivarraajh also urged the higher education ministry to keep a close eye on this matter so that similar incidents would not recur.