During the event, advocate Prem Prakash Singh Yadav criticised the arrests, stating that the detention of the students was entirely illegal. As per the report of Amar Ujala, Advocate Yadav alleged that their incarceration violated Supreme Court guidelines and fundamental human rights. Advocate Yadav further highlighted discrepancies in the police records, pointing out that while three female students were apprehended on the evening of December 25, the first information report (FIR) misleadingly listed the arrest date as December 26. He assured that legal action against the officers involved in the arrest would be pursued.

Akanksha Azad, the president of the Bhagat Singh Students Morcha, addressed the press, emphasising the organisation’s long-standing commitment to fighting for democratic rights and challenging the unjust policies of the BHU administration over the past decade. She recalled an incident from the previous year, where the university and district administration allegedly shielded the accused in a gang rape case involving an IIT-BHU student. She stated that the Morcha’s persistent efforts had led to the arrest of all three perpetrators, which had exposed their organisation to retaliation. Azad argued that the recent arrests in the Manusmriti case were a part of this vendetta by the authorities.

Civil society representative SP Rai questioned the university’s apparent contradiction, noting that while BHU grants fellowships for research on the Manusmriti, it penalises discussions around the text within its premises. Rai expressed solidarity with the students, affirming that civil society stands firmly by their side. Several activists and supporters, including Ipsita, Siddhi, Katyayani, Sandeep, and Mukesh, also participated in the press conference.

The Bhagat Singh Students Morcha had announced plans for another press conference to further address the fabricated charges levelled against the students. Advocate Prem Prakash Yadav reiterated that the allegations were baseless and made with malicious intent.

Background of the incident

The arrests of 13 individuals, including three women, associated with the Bhagat Singh Students Morcha (BSM), stem from an incident at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) on December 26, 2024. The BSM, a Marxist student organisation, had convened a discussion on December 25 to observe Manusmriti Dahan Divas, commemorating Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s symbolic burning of the Manusmriti in 1927 as a stand against caste discrimination. This event, held at the Arts Faculty, was disrupted by university officials and security personnel, leading to a confrontation. The students were accused of planning to burn copies of the Manusmriti and were forcibly detained.

The following day, an FIR (No. 523/2024) was filed against 13 BSM members by BHU Security Officer Omprakash Tiwari and Assistant Security Officer Hasan Abbas Zaidi. The FIR alleged that the students engaged in violent and disruptive activities, including pushing and assaulting security staff, during their gathering near the Arts Faculty Square. Among those arrested were nine current students and four alumni. They were charged under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including assault or use of criminal force to deter a public servant, outraging religious feelings through deliberate acts, rioting and attempting to commit culpable homicide.

The complaint had alleged that on December 25, a group of 20–25 BSM members gathered near the Arts Faculty at 5:30 PM with the intent to burn the Manusmriti. When approached by security personnel, the students reportedly misbehaved, assaulted guards, and caused injuries to two women security staff, Shipra Mishra and Shikha Mishra, who were hospitalised at the BHU Trauma Centre. The FIR further claims the students’ actions disrupted public harmony.

The arrested individuals were taken into custody by the Lanka Police Station. They were subsequently sent to 14-day judicial custody by the Varanasi District Court and are currently held at District Jail, Chaukaghat.

Reports from students had alleged significant misconduct during their detention. It is claimed that participants were physically assaulted, their clothing torn, and personal belongings damaged. The Proctorial Board and police allegedly issued threats, warning of repercussions for their academic and professional futures. Detainees were held overnight without access to legal counsel and reportedly beaten in custody, sustaining injuries.

As they were transported to the jail, the students protested by chanting slogans such as “Manusmriti Murdabad,” “Inquilab Zindabad,” “Jai Bhim,” and “Stop violence against students,” underscoring their resistance to what they described as state repression. The charges against the 13 individuals carried a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

A detailed report may be read here.

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13 BHU students arrested and interrogated by ATS over allegation of burning Manusmriti

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The post BHU students granted bail 17 days after Manusmriti protest arrests appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Banaras Hindu University (BHU) vice-chancellor Sudhir Kumar Jain has been forced to listen to “warnings” from Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) members, who “surrounded his campus quarters” telling him “not to attend iftar gatherings in future”, reported The Telegraph. According to The Print, a group of 8-9 people, that allegedly included BHU students, as well as others from ABVP, held protests and burnt an effigy of the varsity’s vice-chancellor because they were angry that he had on Wednesday attended an iftar function on campus. The right wing aggression began soon after photographs of Vice-Chancellor Jain at the function held at the BHU’s Mahila Mahavidyalaya were made public on BHU’s twitter handle.

रमज़ान के पाक महीने में आज काशी हिन्दू विश्वविद्यालय स्थित महिला महाविद्यालय में रोज़ा इफ्तार का आयोजन किया गया, जिसमें कुलपति प्रो. सुधीर कुमार जैन भी शामिल हुए। कुलपति जी के साथ महिला महाविद्यालय के रोज़ादार शिक्षक, शिक्षिकाओं व छात्राओं ने अपना रोज़ा खोला व इफ्तार की। #Ramadan pic.twitter.com/xoca4NtSFM

— BHU Official (@bhupro) April 27, 2022

According to ABVP member Subodh Kumar, who was among those laying siege at the gates of Jain’s residence on Thursday evening, “It was wrong on Jain’s part to attend the iftar gathering. He must promise not to attend iftars in future.” He claimed that a former Vice Chancellor (VC), Girish Chandra Tripathi “had started a tradition of distributing fruits on the occasion of Navratri.” Tripathi, an RSS member and himself an ABVP leader, was appointed VC in 2014, but in 2017, was accused of victim-shaming after a female student alleged molestation, stated news reports. Eventually Tripathi was put on indefinite leave and his tenure was not renewed. However, the ABVP seems to be remembering him fondly even now.

On Friday, ABVP members allegedly burnt effigies of the current VC who had assumed office in January this year. At the iftar organised by teachers and students from both the Hindu and Muslim communities. The VC reportedly also asked students to share their concerts so they could be solved. According to news reports, BHU rector V.K. Shukla and registrar A.K. Singh, were also present at the gathering.

However the University PRO Rajesh Singh defended the secular event and said, “Iftar is an old tradition at the Mahila Mahavidyalaya and the VCs have always attended it. It was discontinued during the (peak of the) pandemic but was resumed this year.” News reports quoted BHU chief proctor B.C. Kapri saying, “Some people are trying to vitiate the atmosphere in the university but we have identified them and will take action against them.” BHU’s assistant information and public relations officer Chander Shekher Gwari, stated facts about the gathering on Twitter, putting on record that the “tradition of organizing iftar in BHU dates back to over 2 decades.” 

There shouldn’t be any confusion or misinformation about 2 things:
1. #Iftar wasn’t organized by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sudhir K Jain. Students & teachers invited him & he attended as head of #BHU fraternity.
2. Tradition of organizing iftar in BHU dates back to over 2 decades. https://t.co/4hUlL6UxE2 pic.twitter.com/jmGNlssvEl

— Chander Shekher Gwari (@CSGwari) April 28, 2022

For those who aren’t aware, Vice-Chancellors in the past have also attended #iftar organized in the campus. Here are some pictures:

Prof. Lal ji Singh in 2013
Prof. Vinay Singh in 2014 (Officiating Registrar)
Prof. D. P. Singh in 2010 pic.twitter.com/iar1GeDwKH

— Chander Shekher Gwari (@CSGwari) April 28, 2022

The BHU’s official Twitter handle also shared a message by BHU founder Mahamana Madan Mohan Malviya reminding all that “is an inclusive institution”.

भारत रत्न महामना पंडित मदन मोहन मालवीय जी द्वारा स्थापित सर्वविद्या की राजधानी काशी हिन्दू विश्वविद्यालय समावेशी संस्थान है। #BHU शिक्षा की गुणवत्ता व शोध तथा अपनी समग्रता के लिए वैश्विक ख्याति प्राप्त है।यहां दुनिया भर के विद्यार्थी आते हैं और निर्भय होकर शिक्षा अर्जित करते हैं। pic.twitter.com/h94vsPEudf

— BHU Official (@bhupro) April 28, 2022

As Eid approaches, right-wing groups and trolls have been busy trying to create unrest, and fuel division. However, across the country, the tradition of interfaith iftar has been upheld. Most recent examples were from Mumbai where many such gatherings were hostend, and attended across communities this week. Even in Kashmir, senior Indian Army officers led by Lt Gen DP Pandey  offered namaz and won hearts online. Lt Gen DP Pandey, and his team are being hailed for sending a public message of communal harmony. In Delhi’s Jahangirpuri, Hindu and Muslim citizens took out peace march holding Tricolour.

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The post Right-wing attempts at targeting BHU iftar deflated! appeared first on SabrangIndia.

A photo of Pandit Malaviya was missing from a poster designed to announce a webinar on Urdy Day, and that has lead to the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) issuing a “warning letter” to the Head of Urdu department (HoD) Prof Aftab Ahmad. According to news reports, the University has also formed a committee to ‘probe the matter’. Meanwhile Prof Ahmed has publicly apologised on Monday saying, he did not intend to hurt anyone’s sentiments.

The Indian Express reported that the department has also withdrawn the poster “after a group of students belonging to ABVP, the RSS’s students’ wing, took objection to the fact that the poster had the photograph of Urdu poet Allama Iqbal but not that of BHU founder Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya.” The university issued a “warning letter” to Prof Ahmad, though he said his intention was not to hurt anyone’s sentiments. On Monday, the official handle of BHU Dean of Arts Faculty tweeted, “Urdu Department, Faculty of Arts, BHU, is organizing a webinar as per details given in the poster. Sincerest apologies for the inadvertent mistake in the earlier poster that went viral on social media.” The revised poster tweeted by the Dean replaced Iqbal’s photograph with that of Malaviya.

Urdu Department, Faculty of Arts, #BHU, is organizing a webinar as per the details given in the poster. Sincerest apologies for the inadvertent mistake in the earlier poster that went viral on social media.@bhupro @VCofficeBHU pic.twitter.com/loGvXe99IU

— Dean_Arts_BHU (@ArtsBhu) November 8, 2021

The BHU’s public relations officer Rajesh Singh told the media, “On the occasion of Urdu Day, a webinar was scheduled to be held by the Urdu Department. Department head Aftab Ahmad shared an e-poster on Facebook from the department’s official handle on Sunday. (It) had poet Allama Iqbal’s photo.” It added that the opposition to the poster started after people began commenting on social media that the poster did not have Malaviya’s photograph. On Monday, Singh added that the ABVP students held a protest and submitted a memorandum to BHU officials after which the university “formed a committee to probe the matter. We also issued a warning letter seeking a clarification from Ahmad about how he shared a poster without consulting the Arts Faculty dean and other senior officials.”

According to IE, the man at the centre of the controversy, Prof Ahmad said, “The moment I was informed about objections by some people, I apologised and said Iqbal’s photograph should be removed and replaced with Malviya-ji’s photo… The poster was shared on Facebook by some students. I had not seen it before…(but) it is my responsibility even if it was shared by students.” 

November 9, the poet’s birth anniversary is celebrated as International Urdu Day and Iqbal Day. Ahmed added that, “Many say Iqbal had migrated to Pakistan after Partition. I would like to say Iqbal died in 1938, seven years before the Partition. We teach Iqbal as a poet and writer, who wrote ‘Saare Jahaan se achha Hindustan hamara’. His writing is taught in Hindi in universities…. One does not become British if one reads William Shakespeare… Iqbal had called Lord Ram ‘Imam-e-Hind’” quoted the IE. He said the webinar held on Tuesday was intended “to spread awareness about opportunities in Urdu learning and education. In the Urdu department, every event is started after paying tribute to Malaviya-ji. We have always paid respect to him.”

उर्दू विभाग द्वारा विश्व उर्दू दिवस (9 नवम्बर) के उपलक्ष्य में “Urdu as Mother Tongue:Issues and Possibilities” विषयक वेबिनार का उदघाटन हुआ @bhupro @VCofficeBHU @registrarbhu pic.twitter.com/LPXVj6jlu6

— Dean_Arts_BHU (@ArtsBhu) November 9, 2021

According to news reports, English department head, M K Pandey will head the probe committee, which will have Bimlendra Kumar, HoD, Pali and Buddhist Studies, on the panel. The committee has been told to submit its report in three working days.

इस बारे में तथ्यों की जांच के लिए प्रो.के.एम.पांडे,विभागाध्यक्ष, अंग्रेज़ी विभाग,की अध्यक्षता में जांच समिति गठित की गई है। प्रो. बिमलेन्द्र कुमार,विभागाध्यक्ष,पाली एवं बौद्ध अध्ययन विभाग,समिति के सदस्य एवं सहायक कुलसचिव,कला संकाय,सदस्य सचिव होंगे। समिति 3दिन में रिपोर्ट सौंपेगी।

— BHU Official (@bhupro) November 9, 2021

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The post BHU: Urdu dept HoD apologises for Urdu Day poster with Allama Iqbal’s photo appeared first on SabrangIndia.

While the issue of the proposal of turning Reliance industries’ Nita Ambani into BHU Prof Nita Ambani has now taken a bizarre u-turn, there is much to be read between the lines here. Soon after a group of students on Tuesday staged a protest outside Vice-Chancellor Rakesh Bhatnagar’s residence on the campus, a denial has reportedly come from the Ambanis’ Reliance industries as well. 

The students were protesting a ‘proposal’ that  Banaras Hindu University’s (BHU) Women studies and Development center had invited Nita Ambani, wife of industrialist Mukesh Ambani, to be a visiting professor. It was being reported that Nita Ambani has given verbal consent to the proposal sent to her on March 12. 

Prof. Kaushal Mishra, Dean of Social Sciences Dept was quoted in multiple news reports claiming that Nita Ambani was the best person to teach girl students considering her vast experience in the fields of business as well social activities: “As per the new policy of the Central government, our aim is to link studies with entrepreneurial skills. Neeta Ambani ji fits the slot,” adding that the proposal was sent “because the Reliance Foundation has done a lot of work in the field of women empowerment.” 

Then there were quotes from the Women’s center’s coordinator Prof. Nidhi Sharma who claimed that “linking students to employment is also an objective of educational institutions, which can be achieved through Nita Ambani’s business experiences.”  

However, as soon as the students’ protest was also reported, a loud denial came from the Reliance Industries Limited spokesperson who called the news reports “fake”. The RIL issued a statement to a news agency which was then reported across the board, it stated: “Reports that Nita Ambani will be a visiting lecturer at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) are fake. She hasn’t received an invitation from BHU.” The BHU itself clarified that it had “not taken any decision” to appoint Nita Ambani as a visiting professor, and that “no such proposal was discussed by the administration.”

Meanwhile, according to Indian Express, the students had protested and opposed the idea of offering the post to Ambani as it would set a “wrong example”. It was also reported that while the proposal has been sent only to Nita Ambani, two more names considered for the remaining two visiting faculty posts were that of Priti Adani, the wife of billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani, and Usha Mittal, the wife of UK-based steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal. The report quoted Research scholar Shubham Tiwari: “Being the wife of a rich person is not an achievement and these people cannot be our icons. If you talk about women empowerment, then invite icons like Arunima Sinha, Bachendri Pal, Mary Kom or Kiran Bedi,” Tiwari said. He said Vice-Chancellor Bhatnagar told them that he had no information about the proposal being sent to Nita Ambani. Sources at the BHU confirm this. For now the news is being closely monitored and no further protests are being planned.

However, some in the university campus are wondering why this controversy has been generated at this time and what is it supposed to divert attention from?

“This dean had leaked the numbers of journalists Ravish Kumar, and Barkha Dutt, he had also had a mud-bath in public to ward of Covid-19. He is known for such things,” said a research scholar at BHU. According to a senior faculty member, this controversy is being seen as an embarrassing joke at the moment, “Now that the denials have come the issue may die down. However, if it is stoked again, and escalates, then even the teachers may protest.”  

Meanwhile, the IE reported that the BHU may go ahead with its plans to start a PG course on ‘Kashi Studies’ soon. Once again, Professor Kaushal Kishore Mishra has confirmed that the subject will be a part of the MA History course, as a specialisation. The Social Sciences Faculty will teach students about the political, religious and social history of the holy city of Varanasi reported IE. Prof Mishra was quoted in the report saying that the course is expected to get a go-ahead in the next academic council, “We are preparing a full course on Kashi Studies under the History Department of the Social Sciences Faculty. Our expert committee has approved the course. Under the course, students will study everything about Kashi (Varanasi) in detail, including its history, festivals, fairs, culture, religious significance, way of living, ghaats, temples, political and social journey and importance in freedom struggle. Given the increasing importance of Kashi at the global level, with the city being transformed and developed as a hub of religious tourism, a lot of people will be interested in learning about the city.”   

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The post Was the ‘BHU Professor Nita Ambani’ controversy a diversion from other issues? appeared first on SabrangIndia.

A senior Dalit professor, Shanti Lal Salvi, at the Benaras Hindu University (BHU) has allegedly been attacked by students at the University for supporting his Muslim colleague, Feroz Khan’s appointment as the assistant professor in the Sanskrit department.

Speaking to reporters in Varanasi Professor Salvi said, “I was sitting in a classroom when some students barged in and started abusing me in foul language.”

“They asked me to stop supporting a Muslim’s appointment to the faculty. I felt unsafe and came out. Some of the students then hurled stones at me and later caught up with me and shoved and pushed me. I could escape because a stranger gave me a lift on his scooter,” he added.

He said that a colleague had instigated the students, but did not name him in front of the media. He affirmed, “I have complained to vice-chancellor Rakesh Bhatnagar against a professor of the department and some students.”

He has also written to the Chief Proctor O.P. Rai, accusing the senior faculty member who incited the students.

His letter, accessed by the Indian Express read, “At 12.05 pm, I was sitting in my office at the SVDV faculty when some students came to me and asked me to leave as they were closing the faculty. Soon I came out with a colleague when an outsider, Munish Mishra, along with a student, Shubham Tiwari, and others started raising slogans against me. They called me and the department HoD a thief. Soon, more students joined and started making casteist remarks. They all chased me to beat me up. Sensing that my life is in threat, I started running and after around half a kilometre, I took a lift from a bike rider to reach the central office. One of the students threw a brick at me, but he missed.”

He also told the paper that the senior professor he had accused, had harassed him in the past too and spread a rumour that his wife, who is a Ph.D. from BHU was a Muslim and Feroz Khan’s sister. He added that the reason the students attacked him was because the professor had told them that it was Salvi who had got Feroz to the University. Professor Salvi also has plans to file an FIR against the said senior faculty member.

A student who was part of the group that confronted professor Salvi, said that they had only asked the professor to stop supporting Khan and had never attacked him.

A group of professors also met the proctor to discuss the incident and he has assured that a committee will be set up to investigate the matter.

A university official told the paper, “Based on findings of the committee, action will be taken against those responsible, as per the university rules. An FIR in the case is being registered at Lanka police station in Varanasi.”

Feroz Khan’s appointment as the assistant professor at the Sanskrit department had created a row. The students, who are protesting since November 8, a day after his appointment have said that his appointment is unacceptable on the grounds that a Muslim cannot teach Hindu religious texts which are included in the syllabus. No classes have been conducted at the Sanskrit Vidya Dharam Sankay department since then and the semester exams that were to held starting December 5, have been postponed Chief Proctor O.P.Rai told reporters.

Khan who has a Ph.D. in Sanksrit Literature from the Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan in Jaipur is a regular on the Varta Vali programme that is telecast on Doordarshan every Saturday. He has been felicitated with the Sanskrit Yuva Pratibha Puraskar award by the Rajasthan government, but fascist Hindu outfits like the RSS and ABVP who have been backing the students in their protest against him, have left a more than well-deserving candidate bereft of an opportunity. This is just one of their many attempts to stoke communal hate and poison the secular education system with their Hindutva ideology.

Even though Khan has been backed by the University administration, he has been forced into quitting the SVDV department owing to the student agitation. He has now applied to Sanskrit Department of the University’s Faculty of Arts and also for the Assistant Professor’s post at the Faculty of Ayurveda.

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The post BHU Dalit prof allegedly attacked for supporting Muslim colleague’s appointment appeared first on SabrangIndia.

In the hope of ending the ongoing impasse, Dr. Firoz Khan, whose appointments as assistant professor in the Sanskrit Vidya Dharam Vigyan (SVDV) faculty of Benaras Hindu University (BHU) triggered protests, has now applied for teaching posts in the Sanskrit Department of the varsity’s Faculty of Arts, The Indian Express reported.

Khan, who is keen to teach at the Faculty of Arts, has also applied for the post of Assistant Professor at the university’s faculty of Ayurveda after the students of SVDV had staged a dharna regarding his appointment of an Assistant Professor in their faculty, stating that they wouldn’t tolerate a Muslim, who is not connected with their culture, teaching them about the Sanatan Dharma and Karmkaand.

Firoz Khan, a PhD in Sanskrit, was inducted into the SVDV faculty on November 7, but was unable to conduct even a single class there owing to the protests. The protesting students called off their sit-in protest on Friday following a written assurance from the university administration that it would answer their questions. The students, however, said that they would continue to boycott classes and may even resume their agitation if the BHU administration fails to answer their questions in 10 days.

Khan, who felt ‘insulted’ for the response his appointment received says he will quit the SVDV department if he is selected in either, or both of the departments he has applied to. However, he is said to be keen on joining the Arts Faculty as the students there have no problem with a Muslim teaching them Sanskrit. Additionally, it is also said that joining the Ayurveda department would mean deviating from his field of interest as well as area of expertise.

Through all of his ordeal, the BHU administration has backed his appointment stating that it is in accordance with the norms prescribed and there is no question of his removal stating that his appointment was a unanimous decision made by a selection committee under a transparent process.

However, dragging Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya’s name into their protest, the students said Khan’s appointment hurt their sentiments and was made as part of a conspiracy stating that there was a stone inscription installed in BHU clearly states that no non-Hindu can either study or teach in our department. However, the university has rubbished their claims.

While Firoz Khan’s future at the BHU remains to be seen after the show of extreme radicalism, there comes some good news. The Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandir in West Bengal recruited Ramzan Khan and Ganesh Tudu, a Muslim and a tribal, as assistant professors of Sanskrit.

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The post After protests, Sanskrit prof Firoz Khan applies to other faculties at BHU appeared first on SabrangIndia.

On November 22, 2019, the BHU students who had been protesting for 2 weeks against the appointment of Muslim teacher Firoz Khan in the Sanskrit Department of the University, have decided to end the protest after assurances from the Vice Chancellor that “corrective” measures will be taken within 10 days. It is not the first time we have seen religion and caste-based ‘protests’ by Savarna Hindus hold administrations and governments ransom. Yet, a lot of aspects of this latest controversy are surprising. For example, Muslims teaching or excelling in Sanskrit is not something that is happening for the first time.

Ashab Ali, who retired in 2010 from the post of Head of the Department- Sanskrit at Deen Dayal Upadhyaya University, Gorakhpur, had a 33 years long career as a much-loved teacher despite the Department being dominated by Brahmins and Thakurs. Ashab Ali had topped both his BA and MA exams in Sanskrit in 1969 and 1971 . He then completed a PhD on a comparative study of Vedic and Islamic myths under the then head of department, Atul Chandra Banerjee, who also played a key role in his appointment which led him to hold the highest position of HOD eventually.

The story of another Sanskrit scholar- 85 year old Pandit Ghulam Dastagir Birajdar– is endearing. As former General Secretary of Vishwa Sanskrit Pratishthan in Varanasi, and presently Chairman of the committee to prepare school textbooks for Sanskrit in Maharashtra, he has such mastery over the language that he is often asked by local Hindus to solemnise marriages, preside over pujas or perform last rites. Even though he declines such requests, he has taught many Hindus how to recite and perform Hindu rituals.

Dr. Meraj Ahmed Khan, who is an Associate Professor of Sanskrit at Kashmir University says, “What we teach in universities is modern Sanskrit which has nothing to do with religion”.Adding that he was never discriminated against for being a Muslim scholar of Sanskrit, he said, “If they did, they wouldn’t award me a gold medal in MA”.

Dr. Salma Mahfooz, renowned Sanskrit scholar from the Aligarh Muslim University was the first Muslim woman in the world to be awarded a PhD in Sanskrit. She has taught Geeta, Vedas, Upanishads and guided more than 15 PhD scholars during her career. Commenting on the BHU row she quipped, “Mazhab apni jagah hai, taleem apni jagah” (Religion has its own place, and education and upbringing has its own place).

The examples are endless. The Sanskrit Department’s Chairman at Aligarh Muslim University is Prof Mohammed Shareef; retired associate Professor (Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan Delhi) Dr. Mohammad Haneef Khan Shastri was conferred the title of “Shastri” by former President of India Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma; even the person at the centre of the present controversy, Firoz Khan, is not the first in his family to study Sanskrit. His grandfather Gafur Khan would sing bhajans for Hindu audiences in Rajasthan and his father Ramjan Khan studied Sanskrit would often preach on the need to look after cows in Jaipur’s Bagru village.

While it remains to be seen if BHU administration upholds Firoz Khan’s appointment, on the other end of the spectrum, Ramzan Khan and Ganesh Tudu have been appointed as assistant professors of Sanskrit at the Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira in west Bengal. This is for the first time in Bengal when a Muslim and a Tribal teacher, both of whom are non-Hindus, will be teaching in an autonomous college.

Historically, Sanskrit was studied ardently and was part of the Mughal culture. According to Audrey Truschke’s book- Culture of Encounters: Sanskrit at the Mughal Court, “Mughals sought to integrate the culture of the Sanskrit language and literature in the evolution of the Mughal state system… a worldview that envisioned the Mughal court and by extension the Mughal state as a multi-cultural and multi-lingual cosmos…”

The study of any language is a foray into its beauty and the richness of its literature. Language is not and has never been the domain of any religion. So why is it suddenly an issue now? The current political climate is enhancing a divisive movement on the basis of any differences that seem to not align with the majority- be it religion, caste, language, or even diversity in sexuality and gender identities. These create distraction tactics for the youth who face abysmal future prospects in a crumbling economy. The nation seems to be coming apart at the seams and yet the so called ‘Nationalist’ agendas are only hampering nation building. It has been said time and again that our burgeoning population can be our biggest asset to move up on the path to development. But as long as the population is divided and distracted by meaningless controversies, we conveniently play into the hands of politicians who are looking for their own short-term benefits. How is this any different from the divide and rule tactics of our colonizers?

As we look at the big picture, the logic is clear and simple, and yet logic does not work to counter the divisive sentiments like the ones at play in the BHU case. Margaret Atwood says,

“Touch comes before sight, before speech. It is the first language and the last, and it always tells the truth.”

Maybe the human touch is the only solution we have, to reach out to fellow citizens and preach a language of empathy. If we have a universal language of understanding, maybe we wouldn’t resort to the language of hate anymore.

The post The Language of Hate – BHU students protest Muslim Sanskrit teacher appeared first on SabrangIndia.

A Deputy Chief Proctor at the South campus of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in Mirzapur district was booked on charges of promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, caste, etc., after she allegedly removed a RSS flag from the university’s playground Tuesday, The Indian Express reported.

A case by a local RSS office bearer, Chandramohan, was filed against Kiran Damle for allegedly removing a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) flag from the campus. She resigned the same day, following protests by a group of students and local RSS workers.

Station House Officer (SHO), Kotwali Dehat, Abhay Kumar Singh, said a case was registered against Damle under IPC sections 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony), 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief).

What transpired?

Chandramohan, head of RSS’s Mirzapur district wing, claimed, “On November 12, the daily Sangh shakha was being held at the stadium on BHU South campus as it has been for the past seven years. Around 7 am, Kiran Damle uprooted a saffron flag and threw it on the floor. All swayamsevaks present there told her that the flag has importance for religious reasons. After this, Damle verbally abused Swayamsevak Neeraj Dwivedi and others present there. She also said that despite the country accepting the Supreme Court’s verdict on Ayodhya, she does not.”

However, deputy chief proctor (South campus), BHU, Kiran Damle, told The Indian Express,”On Tuesday, when I went to the university playground, I found an orange-coloured flag hoisted there. I asked my attendant about who put it there but he said he did not know. I then asked the students present at the playground, nobody replied. After no one took responsibility, I took out the flag, gave it to my attendant and told him to keep it in my office.”

She added, “Later, some students came to me and said the flag is of the RSS. I told them that I did not know because nothing was written on it. I told them that they could conduct their activities, but should not put the flag as it is a sensitive time. Later in the afternoon, a protest was held at the university demanding my resignation. Most of the protesters were from outside [the varsity]. I told the students and protesters that I made a mistake and even apologised to them. They said an apology won’t be enough and that I should resign. I told them that if that is what will make you people calm down, I will resign. I gave my resignation Tuesday from the post of deputy chief proctor. Then, some people told me they would also lodge an FIR against me. I was silent because I didn’t do anything wrong.”

Political twist

While SP Dharamvir Singh said removal of the flag has hurt the sentiments of ‘swayam sevaks’ and Damle should instead have explained and prevailed upon them for getting it removed, local Congress leader and former MLA, Lalitesh Pati Tripathi questioned the interference of RSS office bearers in the workings of the university and said that ‘shakhas’ should not be held on educational institutions.

It is ironical that the RSS which is an ally of the BJP refuses to accept the tricolor as the only flag of India, which is the same for every religion and every person. The RSS has always implicitly rejected India’s constitution by rejecting the tricolor and instead propagate its saffron flag called the ‘Bhagwa Dhwaj’. They consider this flag as the Guru and donations are made to this ‘guru’ with beneficial results before the tax authorities. It is regarded as the symbol of “nationalism” — ie Hindu, not Indian, nationalism.

Related:

Fact Check: The RSS Had No Role in India’s Freedom Struggle

The RSS Doublespeak: Bhagwa for Itself, Tricolour for the ‘Others’

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Varanasi: It would seem that the administration of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) has conspired to derail the careers of students who organized a protest against the sexual harassment of a student on campus.
 
Three months ago, BHU barred 11 students from taking admissions in future courses. These students had participated in a protest last year against the molestation of a student.
 
The 11 debarred students include three girls, out of which two have now joined Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). Shivangi Chaubey, a 21-year-old girl from Bihar’s Buxar, who successfully cleared the entrance exam for MA in linguistics at BHU, has now joined DU for the same course. Saumya Pandey, 18, a Varanasi girl, quit BA (Chinese) to join JNU. Other nine students are continuing their Master’s course but won’t be able to take re-admission.
 
“An inquiry report by the standing committee of BHU on July 24 this year served orders on these students while invoking provisions of ordinances from BHU’s calendar and charging them with the acts of vandalism, assault, dharna and protest on May 2, this year,” Times of India reported.
 
The May 2 incident was a showdown between students and chief proctor Royona Singh after she made snide remarks on the September 2017 protest, calling it a sponsored event where pizzas and colas were distributed. The students have been demanding that GCASH (Gender sensitization against sexual harassment committee) be set up in the university and the ban on female hostel timings and non-veg food be lifted.
 
An FIR was lodged against the students for attempting to murder Singh. Singh had made that complaint which was supported by university staff. The Varanasi police did not find any credible evidence and dropped the names of 10 students from the final chargesheet filed in September 2018.
 
“Shame on Royana Singh and other BHU administrative officials who conspire to shut progressive voices in the University by putting fake and serious criminal charges against their own students. Well, truth prevails, but what about the loss that has been done? What about the opportunities we have missed? What about the social defamation because of all the news headlines and the notices/letters/mails to our parents? And I AM STILL DEBARRED. WE ARE STILL DEBARRED. What about it? Is the administration going to get away with it? Playing with our lives and careers? Well, SHAME ON BHU ADMINISTRATION!” wrote Shivangi Choubey on her Facebook timeline.
 
A BHU student Facebook page also remarked about how the Vice-Chancellor and the Chief Proctor were attacking the students and creating false cases against them to derail their careers.
 

 
Read Also:
IIT-BHU students act against disciplinary notice by the administration
A year after protests, BHU’s female students recount how their lives changed for better or worse
BHU: Twelve students booked under murder charges for protesting against university’s Proctor
 

The post BHU debars 11 protesting students from future courses appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The main gate of Banaras Hindu University (Photo: TwoCircles/net)

However, just a year back, Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath both were in the Varanasi as well—Modi spent a full night even—and they were welcomed by the girls of Banaras Hindu University, who sat on the main gate of University demanding security and gender sensitivity in the campus.

It was September 21, 2017, when a girl was sexually harassed on the main road of the university campus. It was dark and the victim was returning to her hostel when few boys harassed her on the university road taking the benefit that the road was not well lit.
Terrified by this, when the girl went to register a complaint in the university proctorial board, she was asked that why she was wondering outside the hostel. As the Prime Minister was about to visit Varanasi the next, she was also told to not create a fuss about the incident to keep things quiet.

However, when the victim complained about the incident and insensitive behaviour of University security staff with her hostel mates on the same night, it infuriated girls and on the next day, September 22, when the hostel gates were opened in early morning, hundreds of girls came out to BHU’s main gate demanding prosecution and punishment of accused of the previous night.

When the protest settled in the morning, BHU’s several girls’ hostels were already in the news for curfew like situations inside the hostels. Girls were not being provided non-vegetarian foods inside the hostel mess. BHU administration had limited the timing of hostel entry until 8 pm only, and many of the girl hostels did not have good Wifi connectivity. At several points, girls were also told to wear “decent” clothes inside the hostels even. Prof Girish Chandra Tripathi, the former vice-chancellor of the university, had once told girls himself that they should not wear shorts inside the hostels.

After the harassment episode on September 21, girls occupied the university’s main gate and did not vacate it until the district administration lathi charged at them over the request of university administration.

In and around the protest, TwoCircles.net did extensive as well as exclusive coverage of the whole thing, and that too, in various formats. As the whole event complete one year, TwoCircles.net tried to look at the event more closely and register the changes inside the campus regarding girls’ security and gender sensitivity inside the campus. And to do this, who could be better than the girls who were leading and taking part in the protest of last year, who still think that BHU still needs gender sensitization and freedom of expression inside the campus.

I met Sakshi Singh at the protest site last year. She and her friends, who belonged to Women’s College at BHU, were trying to make a continuity and unity among the protestors. Sakshi Singh, 20, is a graduate student of Physics. She is originally from Varanasi but as her home in far outskirts, she has to live in the hostel. Both of the Sakshi parents are into academics.

Sakshi Singh ( Photo: Siddhant Mohan/ TwoCircles.net)

“The protest made me politically aware of the situation I live in. I was only 19 then. But I knew that I had to raise my voice for the safety and security. And after all, it was the question of justice for one of the girls who was harassment in one of the worst ways possible,” Singh told me.
At the night, when police forces barged into the girls’ hostel and charged at the students—without any female police—Sakshi made a panic call to me and had said, “Sir, they are sparing no one. We did not harm anyone but still we being beaten mercilessly. We want to tell this to everyone outside.”

Next day, BHU announced holiday for several days and cut off the electricity and water supply inside the hostel in order to force girls to vacate hostels as soon as possible. Sakshi had to leave, but she was a bit worried that she could face questioning at her home, after all, she was a 19-year-old graduate student.

“Even when the protest was happening, my father called me up. He said that I should continue the protest and take what I am fighting for. It gave me immense hope at the moment, and it also relaxed me that I wouldn’t face intimidation at home,” said Singh.
But for Deeksha Agrawal, things were not easy at home. 21-year-old Economics undergraduate Deeksha comes from a conservative family where everyone loves to watch propaganda news channels. She recalls, “I left for my home on the night of 23rd. Soon I reached home, and I was welcomed with criticism for my so-called acts.”

Deeksha Agarwal (Photo: Siddhant Mohan/ TwoCircles.net)

Discussing the specifics, Deeksha said, “I was told that why I was doing politics when I was sent here for the studies. Why I was trying to defame one central university”—which has been established on the core “Malviya’s values”—“which is giving cheaper education to many. The days I spent at home was not easy. I felt under constant watch.”

The story is same for Akanksha Singh, 20-year-old Statistics undergrad from the university who comes from a joint family of Kanpur. Her argument over the gender security and sensitivity may or may not have been heard in the university she is studying, but her parents surely did not entertain the argument. Akanksha told me, “I was at the protest until the night of 23rd, then I left for my home. I didn’t hope to be welcomed at my home after protesting, as I know my parents very well, but I didn’t hope to be criticised and to be taught a lesson on ‘how to be a good girl’ or ‘how to be a good student’.”

Akanksha Singh ( Photo: Siddhant Mohan/ TwoCircles.net)

Akanksha, who talks without any interruptions and apprehensions, explains that whatever episodes of intimidations she has been facing in the university campus, she did not face a small fraction of it even at her home. She told me, “BHU is a good place to study, but I still do not feel that the university space is easy and comfortable for girls. Even after our fight of last year, I don’t see if we have achieved what we fought for.”

In the early morning of September 22, girls decided to sit on protest demanding justice for the victim. As the mid-semester examinations were already on, many students thought that protest shouldn’t last for more than a couple of hours. As per what students tell me, the girls decided that they would meet vice-chancellor—as he could come in few minutes only—and demand for the strict action against the security staff and hostel warden for the insensitivity. But soon, it turned out that vice-chancellor was not ready to entertain the meeting request and consequently, the protest extended until the VC could meet students.

BHU’s gate was flooded with girls and police force. Placards like “Unsafe BHU” or “Would you like if it was done with you” were swinging in the tough humid day of September. Poster of Prof GC Tripathi, the vice-chancellor, in an outfit resembling the one of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was posted several places at the gate with the slogans “VC GC go back” and “GC Commission go back” being raised by hundreds of girls at the same time. “Everything was rubbed away from the scene with the use of violence because our vice-chancellor did not want to meet us,” said Anushka Kaushik, 20, an undergraduate student of Zoology.

Anushka Kaushik (Photo: siddhant Mohan/ TwoCirlces.net)

Kaushik met me in the BHU’s famous Vishwanath Temple, she came confident in the evening, after dark, and talked comfortably and proudly about what she has been going through or passing through. She told me, “Earlier, girls used to think several times before coming out of hostels at this hour, but thanks to the protest, we have freedom to a greater extent.”

Not associated with any political and ideological groups in and out of the campus, Anushka could be seen at the protest last year helping the girls and taking lead in the protest at several ends in various capacities. I asked her about her involvement in the protest, she said, “I don’t have any grudge against BHU or vice-chancellor. I have been facing episodes of intimidation and discrimination inside the hostels. But I have never been so much politically outspoken and aware of the social changes around me. It was the spur of the moment that day last year which compelled me to protest for justice and rights.”

The home was welcoming for Anushka. “On the second day of protest, I could not even speak well because of sloganeering and shouting continuously. I was literally talking in a hissing tone. But even then, my father called and told me that I should fight if I think this is the right thing to do. This lowered apprehensions, if there was any.”

Anushka has seen changes in the university for her. She said, “We are allowed to go out without any questioning. We see security in the campus. There are female guards, who were appointed right after the protest last year. We get three kinds of vegetables every day and non-veg food once a week. There are much fewer episodes of verbal sexist abuse or harassment cases, and with that, we can sense that we have brought a good change in the campus.”

“Now people listen to us, they pay attention to what we are saying,” said Anushka.
Every student I talked with, has raised the issue of killing of freedom of expression. According to the allegation against the administration of BHU, the university is trying to suppress the free voices in order to minimize the further damage as well.

Right after the protest, BHU appointed Prof. Royana Singh as the first female proctor of the university. The appointment was welcomed at first, but soon it came out that Professor Singh was the piece of the same board which has been accused of gender insensitivity. For the attention, she has stated that “girls were given pizza and cold drinks through large delivery trucks during the protest last year” and also “any girl would not be stopped from drinking alcohol”, which has created enough controversy in the campus.

Just a few months back, Police booked twelve students of BHU, most of them took part in the protest last year as well, under murder charges. The charges imposed on the students include the sections 147, 148, 353, 332, 427, 504, 307 and 395 of Indian Penal Code, based on the complaint raised by Proctor Royana Singh. The FIR was lodged after students went to meet Royana Singh after her “pizza-soft drinks supply” remark to ask for a proof or apology otherwise.

Last month, BHU administration debarred 14 students from taking further admission in any of the courses being taught in BHU. Shivangi Choubey, a postgraduate student of linguistics at Delhi University, is one who also faced the FIR with the charges of attempt to murder. While talking on the phone, Shivangi broke into laugh several times imagining the extent of corruption and intimidation inside the campus. Originally from Buxar, Bihar Shivangi spent around 13 years in Varanasi just for education and getting debarred from BHU makes her sad. She told me, “Implicating me in a police case or debarring me from further education makes me sad, but if you look it from outside it is one sequential protocol of BHU in which it is trying to kill dissent and expression.”

Shivangi Choubey ( Photo: Siddhant MOhan/ TwoCircles.net)

“I wasn’t welcomed at home after the protest. My parents told me that they did not want to see me taking any more such leads or part in the protests. They asked me to complete my studies without any politics, as in my second year only, university administration made several complaints against me, and that reflected at my home,” said Shivangi.

Shivangi’s implication in police FIR or her being debarred is still hidden from her parents. When she came back after curfew ended in BHU, everything was silent. Nobody was talking about it anymore but for good, girls felt secure. Shivangi continued her participation in debates, discussions, and protest, but in a very covert way, hiding it all from her parents. “I have been an active participant in the campus activities, but the protest gave me an enlightenment, it opened the perspective even more for many of us girls,” added Shivangi.

But Thriti Das, an undergraduate student of sociology at BHU’s Women’s College, thinks that even BHU has become secure and students have become more politically aware, the sensitization is missing. Originally from Durgapur, West Bengal, Das wanted to come out of Bengal for further studies so she opted BHU as her next stop. But, the institute did not meet her expectations. She took part in the protest and got praise from her father, as he himself has been active student politics and has an inclination towards left. “I did not expect such regressive culture in BHU. I came here to become more independent and to move out of my comfort zone, but it was a more closed and conservative environment. I personally heard many times that I should not talk on the mobile phone after 10.30 pm,” Das told me.

Thriti Das ( Photo: Siddhant Mohan/ TwoCircles.net)

She further said, “When I went back to my home after the protest, I could substantiate at my home that how situations were tough. We had a VC who was not willing to meet but was indeed willing to ask for the use of police force against us.”

For Das, a two-day-long protest is a life event where she has taken a stand for the women and the community but as campus claims to provide more security to the women, it is policing things more. Das said, “Now the episodes of police have increased. Security guards interrupt and stop any couple inside the campus claiming that it is for the security of the girl. We are still being given a moral lecture inside the hostel, offices and in our departments. Many of the students have become sensitive but there is a substantial lack of sensitization in the administration, which is still a cause of trauma and stress for many.”

BHU indeed took some points to consider after the protest. It installed multicolored LED lights to beautify the main gate, while many of the campus roads are still dark. It claims to have brought down violence up to many folds with the use of face-recognition surveillance system, but in just last couple of weeks, there have been at least a dozen of small-large violent incidents inside the campus. Wondering around the campus for several times, I noticed that security guards close several roads after dark and no personnel is allowed to pass from those roads, the reason is security.

Almost every girl I talked with took the name of Prof Chandrakala Tripathi, the newly appointed Principal of Women’s College, who has brought a lot of positive changes in the college in the last couple of months. Such changes also include the good behavior of professors and non-teaching staff, hostel wardens and care takers, and security guards. Girls have also said that they feel much free since Prof Tripathi took charge a couple of months back. A girl went on to say that other hostels and institutes under BHU should take a lesson from Prof Tripathi.
Prof Chandrakala Tripathi is a woman of Hindi literature and philosophy and has written several books of poetry and literary criticism. This is the thing, she understands, that makes her create a positive environment for girls. “I have been a student as well as a scholar of literature and I feel that answer to the problems girls have been facing is more humane and grounded as that of the literature.”

She further told me, “See, people have to understand. These are just little girls and many of them still under the age of 20. They do not understand politics or chains or ideologies. They just demand certain freedom so that they can enjoy their studies without any burden. They have no fault. So whose fault is this basically? The staff, who has not been cordial with them.”

“The day I took charge, I informed everyone that I am here for my students and will not give any excuse if they want to meet me. I told everyone that I would not spare anyone if the girls will complain against them,” said Prof. Tripathi.

Girls wish to see more such examples around campus, but the appointment of Prof. Royana Singh as chief proctor is one biggest problem for them. Apart from the allegedly false cases and her statements before propaganda news channels, Singh herself is also booked in one FIR pertaining to attempt to murder. After the protest and violent crackdown last year, the National Commission for Women visited the university for inquiry. What Prof Singh did was surprising. As a proctor, she lined up students from institutes and hostels other than in question, and when Commission representative asked whether they face intimidation or abuse in campus or hostels, the girls said no. Sakshi Singh told me, “We went to the commission’s inquiry by ourself and tried to make them aware of the actual condition, but Professor Singh was not letting us speak even.”

Moreover, when an internal inquiry over an attempt to murder Royana Singh was set up, Royana Singh was chairing the inquiry panel killing chances of free and fair inquiry, if there were any. Several attempts to reach Prof Royana Singh regarding the story were failed.

BHU still lacks Gender Sensitisation Committee Against Sexual Harassment (GSCASH), a necessary practice inside all university campuses across India, and a grievance cell has been constituted as makeshift arrangement, in which no representative from the student side has been put.
The Banaras Hindu University still lacks a Student Union, and the practices to bring it in the campus have been killed multiple times. Students say that it is not a bit easier for them to get their voices heard, but university administration is clever enough to kill dissent by FIRs or debarring the students from further study inside BHU.

Courtesy: Two Circles
 

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