Jairam Ramesh on Book Event in DU: “Intellectual Integrity Threatened by RSS’s Predilection…”
Congress General Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh has raised sharp concerns about the intellectual environment in Delhi University (DU) following a book discussion on ‘Modi vs Khan Market Gang’ held on campus. The event, attended by DU Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh and several BJP leaders, has drawn criticism from academics and opposition leaders alike.
“Intellectual integrity in our premier universities is threatened by the virus of the RSS’s predilection for conspiracy theories and infantile name-calling,” Ramesh said. “An event for a blatantly partisan and non-serious book was held on DU premises, with no less than the Vice-Chancellor presiding over it. This is a disgrace to what was once a premier educational institution but now operates as an extended arm of the RSS.”
The book discussion, organised by DU in collaboration with the Council for Media and Public Policy Research and the Hear the Silence Foundation, featured BJP national joint general secretary (organisation) Shivprakash, former BJP MP Jyoti Mirdha, and author Ashok Shrivastava. The event’s timing—amid the enforcement of the model code of conduct ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections—has sparked outrage.
DU faculty members, including Maya John from Jesus and Mary College, condemned the event, labelling it a “political misuse of a publicly funded institution.” In an email to the Vice-Chancellor, John wrote, “It is inappropriate for administrative offices to host an event of this nature, especially during the model code of conduct. DU has long been known for its democratic and secular values, which this event undermines.”
DU Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh, speaking at the event, defended the book and criticised the so-called ‘Khan Market Gang’ for allegedly spreading “fake narratives.” Singh argued that the younger generation needed to be aware of “truths” highlighted in the book, which counters claims that India’s democracy is deteriorating. He questioned international rankings that placed India below countries like Pakistan and Sri Lanka in happiness and democratic indices.
The event’s critics, however, argue that it marks a worrying politicisation of DU’s administration.
“All the persons invited for this function are part of the BJP with the Vice Chancellor in the chair. It is shocking that the University administration has stooped so low and is providing a platform for overt propaganda for the ruling party. It is no surprise that Vice Chancellors have become agents of political parties and do not hesitate to brazenly use the resources of Delhi University for propaganda. Such events have become the norm in a University that celebrated it’s centenary event in a series of such events, marked by the absence of scholars of repute,” said Democratic Teachers’ Front in a statement.
The statement added that the development undermines the academic character of universities, and has grave consequences for independent and critical thinking. “Unfortunately, processes such as the institution of Value Added Courses and Skill Enhancement Courses, most of which are far removed from academics, are being used to normalise this degeneration of teaching, learning and research. Such events are symptomatic of the ruling dispensation’s never-ending quest to capture academic institutions thereby sidetracking universities and colleges from their core functions of teaching, learning and research,” the statement added.
