Following a directive from Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh, the University Grants Commission (UGC) on Tuesday asked the Maharaja Sayajirao University administration in Vadodara to send a detailed report on the controversial art exhibition and the incidents that took place in its aftermath.

A section of students and faculty of the varsity had knocked on the doors of the UGC on Monday, urging UGC chairperson Sukhdeo Thorat to take immediate action against the university administration for allegedly allowing local BJP leaders to act as moral police. They had also urged the UGC to revoke the suspension of the Dean of the varsity’s Fine Arts Faculty and issue orders to restore normalcy inside the campus.

It may be mentioned here that controversy had broken out when VHP and BJP workers barged into the Fine Arts faculty of M S University, Vadodara last week and vandalised “objectionable” paintings of Hindu gods and goddesses, which were on display.

In his letter, Prof Thorat asked M S University Vice-Chancellor Manoj Soni to clarify on the incidents in the prestigious arts faculty.

Thorat’s letter to the Vice-Chancellor followed the former’s meeting with the HRD minister earlier in the day when Mr Singh expressed his concern over the developments in the varsity.

“We have received a letter on Monday from the students about the developments. We have already sent a letter to Soni asking him to clarify about it,” Thorat told reporters here.

UGC hands tied
Sources said the UGC could not go beyond this for the time being as it had its own limitations in dealing with a state university like the M S University.
The students have asked the UGC to get the suspension of S Panikkar, Dean of Fine Arts Faculty, revoked. Panikkar had refused to close down the exhibition earning the wrath of VHP and BJP workers.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, UGC Secretary M S Kem said that the students had complained that outside elements had created problems inside the campus and also disrupted the examination.
Asked what action would the UGC take if the response is found unsatisfactory and whether there had been any deadline for sending their response, Mr Kem said the authorities have been asked to send in their report “as early as possible”.
He said the letter had also asked the university administration to specify the remedial action taken.

LECTURERs on war path
Ahmedabad, DHNS: Maharaja Sayajirao University at Baroda and its Faculty of Fine Arts, that have been mired in a controversy over the allegedly “obscene” paintings of Hindu deities and Jesus Christ, appeared headed towards a major row with lecturers unlikely to assist in speeding up evaluation of students unless suspended faculty dean Dr Shivaji Panikkar is reinstated.

A faculty member who was part of the protests against the suspension of Dr Panikkar, claimed that they will not allow the results of the examinations to be out. "The examination process comprises of evaluation of the students by internal and external jury comprising experts. This is an integrated procedure and we have decided not to assist in carrying out the process and there will a major conflict unless Dr Panikkar is reinstated,” the lecturer claimed.

However, the M S University claimed that the process of coming out with the examination results has been initiated and will be completed in time.

On Monday, senior lecturer teaching history of art and student’s dean Jayaram Paduval had told the students to be prepared for a delay in examination results.