Memorandum Presented to HRD Minister
On 12th November
Mr. Arjun Singh
Union Minister for HRD
Government of India
New Delhi
Sub: Attack on Teachers in a seminar and vandalism by ABVP activist in Arts Faculty, University of Delhi on November 6, 2008
Dear Sir,
We, the teachers and students of Delhi University express our shock and dismay at the acts of vandalism perpetrated by activists of ABVP during a seminar held on Communalism, Fascism and Democracy: Rhetoric and Reality by University Community on 6 November at room number 22 of Arts Faculty. The attack was preplanned as they had circulated a leaflet asking their activists to disrupt and stop the seminar. They came inside the hall and many of their activists were sitting at different places among the audience. The attack was synchronized by DUSU president Nupur Sharma’s arrival (who is a member of ABVP) with her brigade. As soon as Dr. SAR Geelani came inside to chair the seminar and took his seat, one of the miscreant came up to the dais and spat on his face twice. Immediately all their brigade stood, rushed towards the dais smashing mikes and hurling water bottles towards the dais. Some of them physically attacked students, including girl students and verbally abusing minorities. They were drawn out of the hall by the audience and organizers who then closed the door and continued the seminar. At this the miscreants resorted to smashing windowpanes and door-glasses. They continued hurling abuses and threatening Dr. Geelani and others for organizing a seminar on a topic that was against the sentiments of Hindutva forces. Police was mute spectator to all this. The most shocking thing was that instead of taking stern action against the attackers, the University proctor asked the organizers on telephone to close the seminar as he was canceling the permission to hold the seminar since there was a law and order problem. Meanwhile supply of power was cut for the remaining event. We are pained to note that it implied that the University would yield to any of the whimsical demands of Hindutva forces. This also implies that now these forces would decide what we should teach and on what topics we would hold debates.
It is to recollect that this comes in the wake of these forces having vandalized the department of History on the issue of inclusion of an article in the reading list five months ago which they thought was hurting their sentiments. Since no disciplinary action was taken against them, they feel encouraged to continue their nefarious activities. This is much in keeping with the history of violence of ABVP as they were responsible for the murder of Prof. Sabbarwal in Ujjain.
We are deeply concerned about these developments. We are apprehensive that the democratic space is rapidly shrinking in the university campus and there is a growing intolerance towards differences of opinion. These are bound to undermine the very fabric of the university system.
In view of the above, we demand that:
· stern action against the culprits so that democratic academic atmosphere of debate in the campus is maintained.
· That the University must discharge its responsibility so that free and fair discussions can take place without intimidation and violence.
University Community
