Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)’s School of languages faculty member Professor Makarand R Paranjape was blocked by students from entering his office on Monday. The students cited Social Justice for preventing Prof Paranjape’s entry in his office,
“Offering ‘Satyagraha’, I was able to enter the workplace after much persuasion” said Paranjape.
“I would fight for my democratic rights and the rights of all those who wish to dissent,” he wrote on Facebook. The professor further believes to be nothing wrong in touching his students’ feet for a good cause said that continuing stand-off and slogans were exchanged between the students and him.
While trying to bring a mutual understanding among them, he tried to reason with so many but the students’ refusal to enter into a dialogue ended up into a slogan-shouting incident.
Narrating the episode of how the entire incident took place in front of the university’s security personnel, Paranjape stated, “Security was so ineffective; it was their responsibility to ensure that those who wanted to go inside the building should be allowed.”
The students as well, shouted slogans when asked about their names. “When I asked one of the students his name, he said “Najib” and others repeated the same.” Acting in response, he replied, “I am Najib too, but I want to go to my office; you can’t stop me.”
Responding to the protesting students, he believes opinions to be respected, even also that differs with the one of yours. “If I disagree with you, you have to let me discharge my duties, to teach, read, and write; that is JNU culture too, not bullying.”
Further, revealing the insight of the occurrence, he tweeted, “In our culture, students touch our feet, even if we don’t like it; what’s wrong in touching their feet for a good cause.”
The series of tweets ended with a message of him stating, “Gratifying lies are easily accepted, but unflattering truths never forgiven or forgotten: is love self-deceptionIJ”