William Shatner -- DEFENDS KANSAS STATE BAND ... You Call That a Penis?!

William Shatner is downright OFFENDED that people would confuse the Starship Enterprise for a dong -- and claims the people punishing the Kansas State marching band are out of their minds!!

As we previously reported, Kansas State suspended its band leader over a formation that many believe shows the rival Kansas Jayhawk performing oral on a phallus ... despite claims from the band that the wiener was really the Starship Enterprise.

Well, Captain Kirk is pissed -- because he thinks the image in question is CLEARLY his old whip ... and he's mad at the leaders of the BIG 12 conference for allowing KSU to punish the band.

Shatner tweeted, "I think it's time for the @Big12Conference leaders to step down and get their eyes checked. What a travesty!"

When asked if he really saw the ship when watching the performance, Shatner added, "Yes! Did you see the plan for the formation? Its exactly this."