By TwoCircles.net staff reporter
New Delhi: Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) activist ransacked the History department of the University of Delhi on Monday. Head of the Department Prof. Saiyid Zaheer Husain Jafri was manhandled by the activists protesting against a class that will teach that there are multiple versions of the Hindu epic Ramayana.
According to the information received by TwoCircles.net, about 100 people who are not university students, lead by ABVP activist Vikas Dahiya gathered outside School of Social Sciences building. About 10 of those came inside the office of the Prof. Jafri saying that they want to speak to him and Prof. B. P. Sahu about BA-II History curriculum. However, they refused to speak till media has arrived.
Once media was there instead of speaking, they began ransacking the place. They toppled the table and broke the glass door of Prof. Jafri’s office. One of them held Prof. Jafri by his collar and hurled abuses at other staff members.
History department said that the incident caused considerable damage to the property. Glass panes were broken, books damaged, office files and other objects in the office was destroyed. The officials termed it “vandalism” and planned action to create an atmosphere of terror.”
ABVP activists were protesting against inclusion of an assay titled “Three Hundred Ramayanas: Five Examples and Three Thoughts on Translation” by A. K. Ramanjuan. This assay is one of the recommended reading for a course on Ancient Indian Culture in the BA (Honours) programme.
University officials say that the purpose of this course is to create awareness and understanding of the rich and diverse cultural heritage of ancient India. This course also includes readings on Kalidasa’s poetry, Jataka stories, ancient Tamil poets and poetry, ancient iconography, and the modern history of ancient artifcats.
The late A. K. Ramanujan was a widely acclaimed scholar with impeccable academic credentials. He was expert in Sanskrit, Tamil. Recipient of several honours including Padma Shri, his credentials as a scholar, writer, and teacher with extensive knowledge of ancient Indian literary traditions are incontestable, said an email by the history department.
In a note the Deparmental Council of the history department said the aim of the course is to teach students to analyse a variety of source materials. Saying that debate, dissent, and dialogue are important parts of the discipline of history, department clarified that there is no question of “intending or attempting to denigrate or hurt the sentiments of any culture, religion, tradition, or community.”
Three who were part of the vandalism have been placed in judicial custody by a city court.
ABVP is the student wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).