Four months after it was published, the Mar Athanasius College of Engineering, Kothamangalam, was forced to withdraw its magazine on Thursday in the face of vitriolic protests by Sangh Parivar outfits against an article on the apex court verdict allowing entry of women to the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple.

Principal Mathew K. issued a circular withdrawing the magazine citing that some of its contents were ‘not in tune with the ideology and perspectives of the college’.

The magazine for the 2017-18 academic year, Aana Keramala Aadu Keramala Aayiram Kaanthari Poothirangi, was released by Women in Cinema Collective member Archana Padmini by handing over a copy to a cleaning staff in the college four months ago.

However, the Sangh Parivar outfits started attacking it just two days ago starting with a social media campaign.

In a Facebook post, Hindu Aikya Vedi leader K.P. Sasikala dubbed the article as a deliberate attempt by the Christian management that runs the college to hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus.

Taking note of the development and the numerous calls that the college was bombarded with in its wake, the Principal convened a meeting of the Heads of Departments on Wednesday to discuss the issue.

Principal’s stance

“A review of the magazine found that it was not properly edited and some of its contents were objectionable, running counter to the ideology and perspectives of the college. So, a decision was taken to withdraw it immediately and seek an explanation from the faculty member who was on the editorial board as staff editor,” said Mr. Mathew.

Vinu Prakash, the staff editor, had since given her explanation, which, the Principal said, was being looked into.

Sans consultation

C.V. Abhijit, one of the sub-editors on the editorial board, said the magazine was withdrawn without consulting the editorial board members. “The magazine basically dealt on themes like gender justice, constitutional values and renaissance and was the result of months of our hard work. The article ‘Sabarimala Vidhi Thurannidunnathu’ penned by our editorial board member discussed how the apex court verdict has led to a debate on constitutional values. There was a single line mention about the Sabarimala enty of women Kanakadurga and Bindhu, which to say the least is a mere fact widely reported. Why should anyone take offence to it?” he said.

The magazine issue has not created a furore in the college yet since vacation is under way for the engineering students. Besides, a majority of students in the editorial board have completed their course in the college. Though Ms. Sasikala claimed in her Facebook post that a petition had been lodged with the police on the issue, the Kothamangalam police said that they had not received any.

The Hindu Aikya Vedi on Thursday took out a protest march to the college.