BU to keep Saraswati idol in its original place

The Buddha idol kept in THE place of the Saraswati idol in the BU administrative block. DH FILE PHOTO

Putting an end to the recent controversy over Saraswati and Buddha idols, the Bangalore University has decided to retain the Saraswati in its original position.

The syndicate meeting on Wednesday took the decision to retain the Saraswati idol at the entrance of the administrative block at the Jnana Bharati campus. A committee will be constituted to decide on the Buddha.

“The sub-committee submitted its report. It’s been decided to retain the Saraswati idol and to constitute a committee comprising a retired judge to take a decision on the installation of the Buddha,” a senior syndicate member confirmed to DH.

However, the power to constitute the committee is with the vice-chancellor K R Venugopal. “The syndicate has given a free hand for the vice-chancellor to chose the committee head,” the member added. When asked about the university’s earlier decision to install both Saraswati and Buddha, the member said: “The decision was taken to pacify the irate parties who were disturbing peace in the campus.”

Early in May, a group of students, allegedly led by a few senior professors, installed the Buddha at the administrative block where the Saraswati was placed. Saraswati idol was removed temporarily as the new idol was set for installation. This led to arguments between two groups and a series of protests.

The university approached the jurisdictional police to ensure security and peace. The vice-chancellor sent a detailed report to the governor, higher education minister, commissioner of police and higher education department.

Following the decision to install both Saraswati and Buddha idols, several organisations now want to install busts of social reformers. The Karnataka Rajya Raita Sangha submitted a request for installing prof M D Nanjunda Swamy’s statue.

The fate of two senior professors, B C Mylarappa and Murthy, allegedly involved in the row, will be decided by the committee. “The university will handover CCTV footage to the committee and forward the communication received from the state government directing to initiate action against the two. After a probe, the committee will submit a report. Further action by the syndicate will be based on the report and it will be forwarded to the government,” said a university source.