Academic criticised by Zeman over gay pride sign made professor by minister

The literary historian Martin C. Putna has been made professor. The title was conferred on the academic on Tuesday by the minister of education, Petr Fiala, after President Miloš Zeman refused to present Mr. Putna with a professorial decree on the grounds that he had carried a provocative sign in a gay pride parade. Mr. Zeman's position was widely criticised in the academic community. The president has since said the right to appoint professors should be removed from the head of state, a move that would put the Czech Republic in line with other European countries.