Police seek video clip of Nandy's speech

Author skips literary events, leaves Pink City

The Jaipur Police on Sunday sought the video clip containing the speech made by author Ashis Nandy at the Jaipur Literature Festival in which he had allegedly remarked that people from SC/ST and OBC communities were “most corrupt”.

The author skipped the rest of the events at the festival and has left the city, amidst protests demanding his arrest.

On Saturday, a First Information Report (FIR) was filed against Nandy and the organisers of the festival following a complaint against the alleged comment.

Additional Commissioner of Police Giriraj Meena told reporters: “Investigation into the matter is going on. We have sought the video footage of Saturday morning session in which he (Nandy) made the remarks and also his clarification issued later on... We have been informed by the organisers that Nandy left the city today (Sunday) but proper action will be taken once the initial probe is over.”

Nandy was to address a session on “Hindi English Bhai Bhai” at the festival in the morning but failed to turn up even as the SC/ST Rajasthan Manch, which had filed a police complaint against him, held protests.

The five-day festival will end on Monday.
Ashok Nagar Police Station House Officer Janesh Singh the statements of the complainant and the organiser would be recorded.Azmat-E-Rasool, a newly-formed  foundation, on Sunday joined the agitators from the OBC, SC and ST communities to criticise Nandy’s statement. 

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot termed the remarks “unfortunate” and said comments that violate law would not be tolerated.  “I do not know in what context Nandy made the comment but I can say that it is unfortunate,” Gehlot said. “The government has no objection if any remark is within the ambit of the law but none can tolerate if one crosses limits,” he added.

Panel slams Nandy

National Commission for Backward Classes chairman Justice J N Rao on Sunday condemned Ashis Nandy’s controversial remarks. He said such statements may result in social convulsions endangering peace and tranquility.

“With no trace of evidence Nandy has chosen to denigrate 75 per cent of the Indian society. It is rather intriguing how he has forgotten the elementary truth that corruption knows no sociological barriers,” said Justice Rao.