The name of the book clearly suggests that it is part of a glorification drive for Modi. We need to ask whether it is appropriate to use university resources for this campaign.

Apoorvanand

The vice-chancellor (VC) of Delhi University, Yogesh Singh, last week exhorted the audience at a program in the conference hall of the university to think about giving up neutrality and choosing the side of ‘rashtra hit’ (national interest). The program was for the launch of a book titled Modi VS Khan Market Gang. Apart from the VC and some top officials of the university, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) functionaries were also present as dignitaries. A large number of college principals, teachers, and students were in the audience. The hall was jam-packed.

What could be more gratifying for any university than to have such a large number of teachers and students turn up for the launch of a book? Anyone who knows the reality of the university, and is aware of the reluctance of its students and teachers to read a whole book, might be pleasantly surprised to see such a public demonstration of interest in one. That students turn up in such large numbers for any such intellectual discussion can only be a good sign.

We know, however, that reality is different. As the title of the book makes clear, this is not a book that has anything to do with knowledge or scholarship, which is the business of a university. Instead, it is a propaganda pamphlet.

The name of the book clearly suggests that it is part of a glorification drive for Modi. We need to ask whether it is appropriate to use university resources for this campaign. What’s worse is that it was not just a platform to idolise Modi. It was actually part of the campaign to defame and demonise the critics of his regime – many of whom teach in the university. It was disappointing to see the VC lend his voice to this anti-intellectual propaganda.

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