Various students organisations of the Pondicherry University organised a protest condemning its vice-chancellor (VC) Prof.Gurmeet Singh for his alleged bid to 'saffronise' the institution. They claimed that the VC and the varsity administration are trying to implement the right-wing agenda of the RSS and the BJP on the campus.
The protest was spurred with a recent Facebook post featuring the VC who was seen along with the ABVP workers wearing T-Shirts printed ‘MODI ONCE MORE’. Despite the protest, neither the administration nor the VC issue any statement regarding the picture.
The students organisations questioned the credibility and loyalty of the VC towards the University. Student leaders Anannya (ASA), Niyas Ali (MSF), Hiba Samad (SIO), Ashok (Scholar) and Reshmi (Spectra) spoke during the protest.
Ananya, a scholar of the university, slammed the VC. "The VC of Pondicherry University has yet again became a tool for the pro-Modi campaign. This is one among many ways the university is used as a propaganda tool for the Sangh agenda," she said.
"The students from various organisations condemn the act of the Vice Chancellor and ask the administration to restore the credibility and secular nature of the Pondicherry University," said Srutheesh of the ASA while addressing the students.
The alleged photo was taken at an event organised at the JN Auditorium.
"Under the pretext of a distinguished lecture, Dr.Anirban Ganguly, director of the Shyama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation was invited to the institution. The event held at the JN Auditorium was not merely a lecture but a clear propaganda for (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi and the BJP," the students said. The Foundation is reportedly a Sangh Parivar outfit.
As students were reluctant to participate for the lecture voluntarily, the authorities likely compelled them to attend the event. Special buses were arranged so that the students could reach the venue.
It was after this event, the activists of ABVP in T-shirts bearing Modi propaganda were seen taking a group photo with the VC, Prof. Venkat Raghotham, the dean of social sciences and international relations department, and Dr.Ajeet Jaiswal, an assistant professor from the anthropology.department.
The students are also angry over the recent appointment of Dr.S.Subbiah of the ABVP into the executive council of Pondicherry University. The delay in setting up a university chair in honour of Dr B R Ambedkar is also another grouse.
ABVP or the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad is the students' wing of the BJP.