Why did Ivan Pavlov oppose the expulsion of priests’ sons from the Military Medical Academy?

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Ivan Pavlov opposed the expulsion of priests’ sons from the Military Medical Academy in 1924 because he himself was the son of a priest. Upon the announcement of the expulsions, Pavlov resigned his chair of physiology in protest, declaring, "I also am the son of a priest, and if you expel the others I will go too!"1

This act was consistent with Pavlov's character as a bold, vehement nonconformist who fearlessly spoke his truth and defended his principles, regardless of the political consequences or the power of his opposition.1