Controversy over names of 3 varsities in event on Maoism

Nagpur: A big controversy over mentioning of Nagpur, Amravati and Gondwana universities names in the brochure of an event related to Maoism in the country has led to its cancellation.
The online faculty development programme (FDP) titled ‘Understanding contemporary Maoism (Naxalism) in India’ was scheduled on Thursday and was slated to continue till July 10 from 10.30am to 12.30pm daily. However, the organizers, Bhumkal Sanghatan, have declared that the event would be rescheduled in next month.
The controversy erupted after the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) took a strong objection on mentioning of NU’s name as one of the organizers in the event. In a letter to Nagpur and Amravati vice-chancellor Murlidhar Chandekar, who was a keynote speaker in the programme, the BJP’s youth wing sought explanation on whether permission to use NU’s name was granted to the organizers and under which rules.
“If permission wasn’t given, then NU should launch a probe into the entire incident and punish the guilty officials. The universities’ name shouldn’t be misused for such event and officials must pay attention to such mischiefs,” a letter by ABVP activist Amit Patle on Tuesday stated.
Rattled over ABVP’s demand, deputy registrar in VC’s office immediately wrote a letter to Bhumkal secretary on the same day to straightaway remove names of NU and AU from the brochure.
“The organizers’ move to mention universities’ names in the brochure as co-organizers is incorrect. The VC has expressed displeasure over it,” the NU letter said, adding that Chandekar wouldn’t be able to deliver the keynote address..
Next day, Bhumkal secretary Arvind Bhowate came out with a detailed explanation while rubbishing ABVP’s accusations stating that “some elements were trying to mislead NU officials”.
“The event is organized in collaboration with seven colleges of three universities. There’s a tradition of mentioning the universities to which they’re affiliated to. There’s no mention of these universities as organizers, co-organizers or sponsors. Therefore, the ABVP’s claims are baseless,” he said in the letter.
Bhumkal president Arvind Sovani told TOI that trouble started much before the ABVP’s letter to the VC when some teachers related to the programme objected to the use of universities’ names. “There are absolutely no vested interests. It’s a well-known fact that we’re working against the Maoist ideology since the last many years. Some lecturers from NU, who were with us in a political group, had first raised objection. But we told them that university’s name is not mentioned as organizer, but only added as colleges working under it are co-organizers.”
He added that after VC’s refusal to attend the event, even organizing colleges were being pressurised to withdraw. “It was organized basically to create awareness on Maoism and related activities. A host of intellectuals from the police and other government departments had registered for it. Now, we’re planning to reschedule it by July 1,” Sovani said.
How the events unfolded
Bhumkal Sanghatan organizes programme ‘Understanding contemporary Maoism (Naxalism) in India’
It was to be held in collaboration with seven colleges from Nagpur, Amravati & Gondwana varsities
It was actually faculty development programme to be conducted online on social media platforms
ABVP sends letter to VC objecting to use of NU’s name in brochure, calls for inquiry & action
VC’s office rushed letter to organizers asking to drop NU & AU names from organizerss list
Says VC expressed displeasure over it and informs that he wouldn’t be able to deliver keynote address
Later, even organizing colleges expressed inability to jointly host the event
Subsequently, organizers forced to defer event