k-taka-cancels-lectures-on-rss-ideologue-citing-protocol-breach

The Karnataka government has cancelled a proposed three-day lecture series on RSS ideologue Deendayal Upadhyay at Karnataka State Open University (KSOU), citing violations of protocol and guidelines.

 

The event, titled ‘Ekatma Manav Darshan: Bharat’s Worldview’, was scheduled to be held from March 25 and aimed to commemorate 60 years of Upadhyay’s lectures. It was planned in collaboration with the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation and Prajna Pravah.

 

The programme was to be inaugurated by Karnataka Governor and Chancellor of State Universities Thaawarchand Gehlot, in the presence of Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji of Sutturu Math.

 

However, the event came under scrutiny after KSOU claimed it was a private programme, despite the use of the university’s name and logo in official invitations. The state’s Higher Education Department flagged what it termed a “serious breach of  protocol,” noting that the Vice-Chancellor was listed as presiding over the event.

 

Officials also pointed out that permission had been granted to a private organisation at a time when the university is already under inquiry for alleged administrative and financial irregularities.

 

 

Defending the government’s decision, Higher Education Minister M C Sudhakar said public universities must remain apolitical. “Our public universities are meant to be apolitical. No political activities should be conducted in our universities,” he told the media.

 

He further stated that the government had not been informed about the event in advance. “We cannot misuse university campuses for certain ideological events,” he added.

 

The issue was also raised in the Legislative Council by Congress member Ramesh Babu, following which the minister reiterated that there had been no clarity on how the programme would contribute to higher education.

 

“There is a protocol violation. There was no explanation as to how the event could help higher education. They have to postpone the programme. They cannot organise it in KSOU,” Sudhakar said, adding that Vice-Chancellor Sharanappa V Halase has been asked to explain the circumstances under which permission was granted.

 

The minister said further action would be taken based on the findings of an ongoing inquiry.