I don’t run BHU on the basis of RSS or any political ideology, says VC Tripathi

india

Updated: Sep 27, 2017 00:27 IST

Though accused by detractors of saffronisation of campus, BHU vice-chancellor Prof Girish Chandra Tripathi claims his functioning is not governed by any ideology.

“As a vice-chancellor, it is my duty to run the university as per the rules of the BHU Act. My functioning as V-C doesn’t have influence of any specific ideology,” Tripathi told HT Sunday.

The V-C is drawing flak for the violence and the police lathi-charge on girl students who were protesting against an incident of molestation on the university premises on Saturday night.

Violence broke out when some unidentified elements hurled stones at the vice-chancellor when he was on his way to Triveni Hostel to meet the student who was allegedly molested. A demonstration at the campus’ main gate began on Friday morning which continued until late Saturday night.

“If saffronisation means shaping students’ talent, I am doing it,” the BHU vice-chancellor had said in an interview earlier this year.

“I don’t run the university on the basis of RSS or any political ideology,” the V-C said. “Do those levelling allegations against me have any proof to support their claim?” he asked.

His critics claim he enjoys the blessings of top RSS leaders and that he was a close confidante of VHP leader, late Ashok Singhal.

Often accused of saffronisation of BHU, Tripathi has time and again rebuffed the allegations, claiming that he runs the university as per the rules laid down under the BHU Act.

In an interview with the HT in April earlier this year, Tripathi did not mince words in taking on his detractors, saying that if saffronisation meant overall personality development of students, enhancing their knowledge and inculcating moral values in them — then he was making “serious efforts” at it. “If saffronisation means shaping students’ talent, I am doing it.”

When detractors accused him of allowing RSS path sanchalan – an annual march by Sangh volunteers – on the BHU campus, he said the tradition was followed even before he joined as the V-C.

Social activist Ekta Shekhar said it was no secret that senior RSS leaders like Indresh Kumar visit BHU to deliver lectures. “It is a fact that he has turned BHU into a centre of RSS activities.”

“The V-C has a strong RSS background. Leaders of the Sangh have delivered lectures on the university campus in the past,” a university student said.

As BHU V-C, Prof Tripathi started Bharat Adhyayan Kendra for the study of ancient sciences — “soul of Indian culture.”