New Delhi: A group representing backward
students claimed victory in its confrontation with the JNU
administration on Saturday after the Proctor issued a circular
expressing regret if his purported remarks had hurt the
feelings on the campus.
The All India Backward Students Forum (AIBSF) had taken
offence to remarks by Proctor HB Bohidar in an interview to a
newspaper where he purportedly said that no other group in JNU
uses the "caste card".
The group said the remarks were tantamount to calling it
a "casteist organisation" and were unwarranted".
In a 'clarification' issued yesterday, the Proctor said
he was quoted "out of context" in the newspaper report and
added that "if it has hurt anybody's feelings it is
regretted".
"This is being taken as a victory by our members," said
Jitendra Yadav, AIBSF President.
The row started after a poster on 'Mahishasura' being
circulated by AIBSF early this month resulted in a showcause
notice being sent by the varsity to Yadav for his role in
releasing religiously "offensive" material. Yadav in turn sent
a legal notice to the University.
Members of AIBSF and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad
(ABVP) had clashed earlier this month over posters that were
found "hurtful" by a section of students.
The Proctor's note also clarified that Left-wing
organisation 'JNU Forum against War on People' had not been
banned but only put under a 'restrain order', pending a
Proctorial inquiry which has failed to progress due
the non-cooperation of the group's members.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, November 05, 2011, 22:39