Click to play videoNew Delhi: The history department of Delhi University on Monday was vandalised by the members of ABVP — who want 300 Ramayanas — a book included in academic syllabus, be removed from the syllabus as it hurts the sentiments of a large section of students.
On Tuesday the teachers and students in Delhi University, protested strongly against Monday's attack on the history department and the assault on the department's head.
A big protest rally that demanded strict action against the members of ABVP, who had smashed window panes and broken chairs in the history department, teachers said that un-informed hooligans would not be allowed to interfere with the university's freedom to determine its own academic syllabus.
Reader History Department DU, Dileep Menon said, "Since it is the attempt of the university to promote liberal intellectual discussion, so this article should be retained and under no circumstances should the university bow to the pressure by any elements."
"We met the Vice Chancellor and he has promised us action against the members of ABVP, adds Menon"
Three of the 12 accused — Vinod Dhaiya, Rakesh Kumar and Manvender, were arrested late Monday night and on Tuesday a city court sent them to judicial custody till March 11. The Magistrate has refused to grant the accused bail and and has asked them to introspect.
DCP North Delhi, Devesh C Shrivastava said, "The accused have been charged with the sections of rioting, criminal tresspass, damage to public property and assault to a public servant."
At issue is an essay by the late AK Ramanujan who was the recipient of several awards. He was a scholar of impeccable academic credentials, who has shown how the Ramayana is interpreted in different ways across india. Historians say, to attack Ramanujan as anti-Hindu, is nothing but a completely manufactured controversy.
AK Ramanujan's essay 300 Ramayanas — which has five examples and three thoughts on translation — was first published in 1991 and has been a part of the Delhi University syllabus since 2006.
A point to think upon is why the ABVP took such a long time to react to the contents of the essay.
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