A seminar organized by the Tamil Department of Kerala University on the Pahalgam terror attack was abruptly canceled after facing backlash from university authorities. The seminar had sparked controversy due to its proposed basis on an article published in Jananayakam, a Tamil publication. The article claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was using the Pahalgam attack for political gain, a stance that drew significant criticism.
VC’s Decision To Stop the Seminar
The Vice Chancellor (VC) of Kerala University, Mohanan Kunnummal, intervened and ordered the cancellation of the seminar, labeling it as potentially anti-national. In a formal communication to Dr. Hepsi Rose Mary, the head of the Tamil Department, the VC expressed concerns that the seminar’s content could undermine national unity and conflict with the country’s interests.
The Controversial Article and the Seminar Proposal
The seminar had been proposed by a research student from the Tamil Department, who suggested discussing the controversial article. The article argued that the BJP was exploiting the Pahalgam terror attack for political advantage, which many believed was an attempt to politicize the tragedy. This narrative, suggesting that the central government was using the attack to further its own agenda, was seen by university authorities as divisive and detrimental to national integrity, prompting the intervention.
Once the issue was raised, the VC acted swiftly to prevent any further controversy by banning the event. He requested an explanation from the department head within 24 hours and also informed the state governor of his decision.
Head of Department’s Response
Dr. Hepsi Rose Mary responded to the registrar’s inquiry by submitting a detailed report. In her explanation, she acknowledged that the research student had suggested the seminar based on the article but confirmed that the student had since apologized for proposing the topic. The student recognized that the timing of the discussion was inappropriate, given the sensitive nature of the subject.
Dr. Rose Mary further clarified that after reviewing the article, she had personally advised against proceeding with the seminar, understanding that it could provoke unnecessary controversy. She emphasized that the decision to stop the seminar was made by the VC even before the issue had been raised publicly.
Complaints from Students and VC’s Swift Action
The VC’s decision was partly influenced by complaints from students within the Tamil Department, who expressed concern about the potential for the seminar to divide the student body and promote anti-national sentiments. The sensitive nature of the topic, coupled with these student complaints, led the VC to take immediate action, halting the seminar before it could take place.
The VC also escalated the matter to the state governor, further underlining the seriousness of the situation and the potential repercussions for the university’s reputation. It was made clear that the content of the proposed seminar was not aligned with the university’s values and could harm the institution’s credibility.
Student Apology and Resolution
As part of the resolution, the research student who had proposed the controversial topic issued an apology. The student expressed regret for raising the issue at an inappropriate time and acknowledged that the seminar was not the right platform to discuss sensitive issues like the Pahalgam attack, particularly when India was facing significant national security challenges.
Dr. Rose Mary’s report concluded that the university had taken the right course of action, considering the circumstances. She reiterated that she had already advised the student against proposing such discussions in the future to avoid any further controversies.
While the issue has been resolved within the university, it raises important questions about the balance between academic freedom and national security concerns. The Kerala University’s decision to halt the seminar demonstrates the difficulties that academic institutions face when navigating the complexities of freedom of expression while ensuring that their platforms are not misused to further politically divisive narratives.
(With inputs from Kerala Kaumudi)
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