Monday accounted itself into a 'black-day' in the annals of academic institutions, as the ABVP activists not only ransacked the office of the Delhi University’s History Department head S Z H Jafri, but also allegedly manhandled him.
The Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad, ABVP went on rampage on Monday to protest against what they termed ‘objectionable material’ included in the BA programme.
The activists, many of them allegedly termed outsiders came only to violate peaceful environment in the campus, stormed into the History department, allegedly threw stones into classrooms and broke doors, windows, and furniture of the Department.
The protest initially had commenced with mere demonstration where a memorandum was to be presented to the head of the History department, soon took an ugly form with the student leaders barging themselves into the department and demolishing the university property.
Everybody has right to speak his heart, arrange demonstrations, or carry out protests, but whereas constitution bestows every citizen such right at the same time demand them to lay such an activity in a peaceful way. These student activists kept in mind their right, but sadly forgot their duty.
Speaking publicly his or her heart is right, but there also one should keep in mind that their views must not violate other’s sentiments, particularly to hurt one’s religious faith is an intolerable act and a crime as well.
Some groups have raised objections to inclusion of an essay written by scholar A K Ramanujan titled “three Hundred Ramayanas: Five Examples and Three Thoughts on Translation for the course on “Ancient Indian Culture.”
The protesters claim it contained “objectionable material” references to Hindu Gods. There are three main objectionable points in the article, where first, it is said that Sita was the daughter of Ravana. Secondly, it was Laxman and not Ram, who murdered Ravana and finally fingers have been raised on the pious relationship of Laxman and Sita.
Research work carried out by a scholar like Ramanujam, where he has revealed such facts, which is completely alien to Indian culture, philosophy and more significantly against the general faith of Hindus. No one has the right to distort the sentiments of any religious sects.
Whatever the particulars respected scholar has unearthed could be his personal one, particularly on religious matter, one should must take a safe side and avoid creating controversies which could even lay to violence. His research work (particularly this on religious faith) can find a place in magazine or in journal, but certainly not in school or college syllabus.
But it does mean what ABVP did on Monday was praiseworthy. Such violent protest must be condemned. Demonstration should have been peaceful, not violent. This was evidently an assault on the academic liberty and secular fabric of the university.
The manner through which ABVP activists carried out protest was no means of resorting solution to a problem. Besides, students must not forget that guru (teacher) in our culture is equated with God. And, insulting guru is as par raising finger on God. If some students had an objection to any part of the syllabus, they must resort to a dialogue. Violence is not solution.
|
|
Read More: Delhi
Comments:
