[Reader-list] Mumbai University Capitulates to Shiv Sena Thugs

[Shuddhabrata Sengupta]

Dear All,

I fail to understand why institutions in Bombay cannot call the bluff  
of the obscenity known as the Shiv Sena. Recently, the student wing  
of the Sena, 'persuaded' the vice-chancellor of Mumbai University to  
remove Rohinton Mistry's book - 'Such a Long Journey' from the BA  
syllabus (see below). What legitimacy do the baba-log of the Shiv  
Sena have? And why should a university have to listen to them in  
deciding what to teach? Sometimes I am really glad that I do not live  
in what gets touted as India's most 'cosmopolitan' city, but is  
rapidly turning into a gigantic ghetto presided over by the spoilt  
brats of the Shv Sena.

best

Shuddha
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Mumbai varsity drops Rohinton Mistry book after Shiv Sena student  
wing protest
Published: Saturday, Oct 2, 2010, 15:32 IST
Place: Mumbai | Agency: PTI
http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_mumbai-varsity-drops-rohinton- 
mistry-book-after-shiv-sena-student-wing-protest_1446574

The University of Mumbai has dropped the Booker-nominated novel by  
Rohinton Mistry Such a Long Journey from the BA syllabus following  
objections by Shiv Sena students' wing which alleged that it 'poorly  
represented' the saffron party.

The university decided to drop the novel, which was part of the  
Bachelor of Arts (English) second year syllabus since 2007, last  
week, vice-chancellor Rajan Welukar said today.

The university has sent a circular on the issue to colleges  
affiliated to it.

Meanwhile, college teachers said despite having the question papers  
prepared for the second year BA English, colleges had to postpone the  
exam after receiving the circular.

"This objectionable novel uses extremely obscene and vulgar language  
in its text and also makes anti-Sena remarks," said Bharatiya  
Vidyarthi Sena chief, Abhijit Panse.

"The vice chancellor understood our point and was very supportive. He  
immediately convened a meeting with his senior staff and later  
informed us that the book had been taken out of the curriculum," he  
said.


Shuddhabrata Sengupta
The Sarai Programme at CSDS
Raqs Media Collective
shuddha at sarai.net
www.sarai.net
www.raqsmediacollective.net