The aftermath of the violence over an event at Delhi University’s Ramjas College is echoing widely in the country while the principal of the college on Monday said that he “trusted” the organisers and “cancelled the event” as soon as the police raised an alarm by covering up the entrance.
The principal, Rajendra Prasad, who celebrated the completion of the 100 years of the college is going to retire after 33 years of service on Tuesday.
He said that he had the impression of the event to be an “academic forum” but after knowing the sensitivity of the situation, he cancelled it.
In his appeal to the students, he said, “I appeal to the students of this illustrious college, for which we have toiled so hard day and night, not to get involved in any such activity which spoils the name and dignity of Ramjas and adopt peaceful modes to deal with any conflict of ideas.”
He said, he shared the concern of the safety of students like their parents. “My heart bleeds when Ramjas bleeds, because I have put in 32 years of blood, sweat and tears to bring Ramjas to its present stature. As I retire, I wish for nothing in return except that Ramjas remains peaceful, and committed to the glorious future it is destined to set for itself.”
The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) last week allegedly attacked the students for inviting the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) PhD students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid to an event at the college. The entire episode turned ugly after the confrontation between the two student’s groups including the All India Student's Association (AISA).
On Monday, the ABVP took out a “Tiranga March” across the north campus of the varsity where a 180 feet long national flag was carried by the students.
Slogans like “AISA go back” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” were reverberating on the streets of delhi university as the students marched on.
Prasad called for peace and conducive atmosphere by restraining from any confrontations in his appeal. “We all must uphold and promote conducive and peaceful atmosphere by restraining from any form of confrontation and strive towards the excellent academic atmosphere which this college is known for.. let us resolve our problems in a respectful, peaceful and constructive manner and protest and preserve the educational environment of our great institution,” he said.
Appealing for calm, and underlining that the students must preserve their right to study, he added, “You are the most affected due to any disturbance and should have the biggest stake in peace because it has a direct bearing on your future. You exams are going to start in the very near future. So please focus on your studies.”
Emphasising on upholding the academic environment of the college, the principal said, “we are aware of our responsibility to ensure that learning and teaching should continue uninterrupted.” He also appealed to all those associated with the college to maintain the same ground.
“The college will do its best to ensure normalcy and that you continue without fear, focussing on your studies. We will take all necessary steps to ensure the safety, security of all our people.”
(With inputs from Paridhi Khandelwal)
