The Telegraph
November 25, 2006
Our Special Correspondent
Lucknow, Nov. 24: Over 100 Banaras Hindu University
(BHU) teachers have locked horns with Union
HRD minister Arjun Singh after they were served
a showcause notice for attending an RSS seminar
in Varanasi.
University sources said 116 teachers were asked
to explain in two weeks why disciplinary action
should not be taken against them. They are planning
to contest the notice.
The RSS had organised a seminar at Viswa Sanvad
Kendra in Varanasi on cultural nationalism on
November 11. A local newspaper reported that
116 BHU faculty members - the university has
more than 1,000 teachers - had spoken at the
meet.
This morning, vice-chancellor P. Singh served
notices to these teachers, quoting the reports.
The notice said they had violated the Central
Civil Service Conduct Rules of 1964. "Under
the present circumstances of the country, teachers
of a central university are supposed to have
a secular attitude," it added.
Professor Kaushal Kishore Mishra said he had
received the notice. "I am shocked to see
how a prestigious university is being run by
the dictates of one politician (Arjun). I am
a free man and I have the right to attend any
seminar on any subject of my choice. I cannot
be slapped a notice because I did not attend
the seminar during class hours."
Viswanath Pandey, the university's PRO, confirmed
the notices were sent. "Serving notice
does not mean taking action?. We believe it
is not in the best interest of the nation to
fall in line with RSS theories. What will the
teachers impart to the students if they show
their bias?"
BJP leaders in Lucknow were quick to protest.
"It is not a crime to attend any RSS meet.
It is highly condemnable the way the professors
are being harassed," former chief minister
Kalyan Singh said.
