JOIN USRow over proposal to confer honorary doctorate
While Prof P V Nanjaraje Urs, an authority on the Wadiyars of Mysore who has produced a documentary on Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, has termed the UoM’s decision as an ‘insult’ to the great leader, the varsity authorities have defended their action and opined that it was one way of saluting the great ruler under whom the city witnessed a tremendous growth.
Prof Urs said the king, who was termed as ‘Rajarishi’ by none other than Father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhiji, died on August 3, 1940.
It was Nalvadi who was instrumental in setting-up the university here and he delivered the first convocation address. He had already been given the honorary doctorate by the Banaras Hindu University for helping in setting-up the varsity. In fact, the king was made by honorary chancellor by none other than Madanmohan Malaviya.
If the UoM was really interested in recognising the services of Nalvadi it should have conferred the honorary doctorate long ago and certainly not after six decades of his demise.
The historian said many people were unhappy over the UoM’s decision as it was like ‘insulting’ the king than ‘respecting’ him. “We are submitting a memorandum to the university authorities addressed to the Chancellor and Governor, Hansraj Bhardwaj asking them not to ‘insult’ Nalvadi Krishnarajaraja Wadiyar.
Defends
Meanwhile, UoM VC, Prof V G Talawar sought to clarify that it was the unanimous decision of the Syndicate Meeting held on Monday and everybody welcomed it as it was an occasion for the varsity to honour such a great personality. The varsity has no intention of belittling the image of Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar. For some reasons, the varsity so far might not have thought of conferring the honorary doctorate on Nalvadi; but the sitting members of the current Syndicate wanted to show their respect through this way.
The VC said whatever the decision taken in the Syndicate meeting has been forwarded to the chancellor for his approval. Any decision taken by the governor is binding on them.
The intentions of the varsity are very clear. It wants to show its respect to the great king by conferring the honorary doctorate.