ABVP Members Humiliate and Force Guest Professor to Retreat During PhD Course Work at Udaipur's Sukhadia University

Udaipur - The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) has strongly condemned the treatment of Professor Himanshu Pandya at Mohan Lal Sukhadia University by student activists of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarti Parishad (ABVP).

PUCL asserts that this incident is not only an affront to one individual but also an attempt to suppress academic freedom and curtail free speech, which are crucial for the health of any democracy. The organization demands swift action from the state government to address this offense and ensure justice.

Prof. Pandya, who had been specially invited to teach a course in research methods, was interrupted without warning by ABVP members. The activists abused him, evicted him from the class, and followed him off-campus with slogans. Subsequently, they protested against course coordinator Prof. Sudha Choudhury and department head Hemant Dwivedi.

The agitated ABVP activists claimed their protest was due to a Facebook post by Prof. Pandya six months prior, where he expressed pain over the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya. This, PUCL argues, demonstrates the activists' disregard for freedom of expression.

To justify their actions, the students later uploaded content on YouTube alleging that Prof. Pandya was a supporter of Palestine. PUCL pointed out that the Government of India itself has expressed support for the suffering people of Palestine, highlighting the ignorance of the student activists.

Significantly, the class Prof. Pandya was teaching was on research methodology and did not involve discussions on either Babri Masjid or Palestine.

Disturbing pattern of attacks on academic freedom in Rajasthan

PUCL expressed deep concern over the BJP's relentless efforts to constrain academic freedom. The RSS and its affiliated organizations have been increasingly influential in the education system, promoting a narrow ideological agenda. Under the BJP's rule, these disruptive forces have gained impunity.

The incident at Udaipur is part of a troubling pattern of attacks on academic freedom. In April 2024, ABVP activists disrupted a book stall at Rajasthan University selling literature by Bhagat Singh, tearing up materials they deemed "treasonous" and insisting on literature that promoted patriotism.

Similarly, a program on Mirza Ghalib at Jhalawar Government College was stopped by ABVP activists.

In January 2024, a school teacher in Baran district was suspended for prioritizing the Constitution, Savitri Bai Phule, and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar over religious deities.

Additionally, several Muslim teachers faced arbitrary suspensions in Baran and Jodhpur districts.

In 2023, ABVP members prevented students at Rajasthan Central University from watching a BBC documentary on the 2002 Gujarat riots, resulting in the suspension of 12 students from their classes and hostels.

PUCL reports an undeclared clampdown on events that celebrate democracy, equality, secularism, and freedom of expression across universities in the state.

The Constitution of India enshrines the freedom of expression as a Fundamental Right, essential for democratic debate. However, right-wing activism has increasingly curtailed this freedom, even within universities.

The incident on June 8, 2024, at Mohan Lal Sukhadia University exemplifies the aggressive tactics used by ABVP activists to assert their power and intimidate dissenting voices.

Despite the subject matter of Prof. Pandya's class being unrelated to Hindutva, the activists sought to flex their muscles and prevent differing perspectives from gaining a foothold in public universities.

PUCL State President Bhanwar Meghwanshi and Udaipur district President Arun Vyas urge the state government and university authorities to recognize this attack on India's democracy, conduct a thorough investigation, and bring the accused to justice.

The PUCL's condemnation highlights the growing threat to academic freedom and free speech posed by right-wing activism, emphasizing the need for decisive action to protect democratic values in India's educational institutions.

Cultural and Literary Organizations Condemn Misbehavior with Professor

In a joint statement, several cultural and literary organizations affiliated with the "Hum Dekhenge" [All India Cultural Resistance Campaign] have condemned the misbehavior with Professor Himanshu Pandya at Mohan Lal Sukhadia University in Udaipur.

The statement was signed by Jan Sanskriti Manch (JSM), Janvadi Lekhak Sangh (JLS), Dalit Lekhak Sangh (DLS), New Socialist Initiative (NSI), All India Dalit Lekhika Manch (AIDLM), Cinema of Resistance, and the Progressive Writers Association (PWA).

The organizations emphasized the importance of open dialogue and debate, a fundamental tenet of the Indian Constitution, and expressed concern over the growing influence of right-wing Hindutva organizations in stifling academic freedom.

The organizations criticized the violent behavior of Hindutva groups, noting that their actions have eliminated the scope for dialogue and debate even within universities.

They condemned the imposition of a narrow ideological agenda, which pressures teachers and students to conform to Hindutva views, and argued that this trend is a violation of constitutional principles.

The statement pointed out that Prof. Pandya's class was unrelated to the controversial topics cited by the ABVP activists, highlighting that the attack was an attempt to prevent dissenting voices from entering the university campus.

The statement also reflected on the broader political context, suggesting that despite the rejection of Hindutva politics by voters in the recent Lok Sabha elections, the era of fascism in India is not over but has entered a new phase. The signatories expressed concern that Hindutva politics might re-emerge in a more fierce and barbaric form.

The joint statement called for democracy-loving individuals to unite and be vocal against such attacks, emphasizing the importance of this struggle for protecting democracy in India.

The organizations reaffirmed their commitment to this cause, asserting that they have always been and will continue to be part of this struggle.