Jaipur, Sept 28: Campus, a novel written by University of Rajasthan Vice Chancellor K L Kamal has generated a controversy with feminist groups alleging the book's depiction of women is "objectionable" while the author defended it as a work of fiction. Feminist groups have termed portrayal of women in the novel as "most objectionable as it degrades women". The author, however, defended it as "a serious novel which gives expression to Indian philosophy by underlining the cultural crisis in the society under the influence of consumerism." "It is unfortunate that some persons are trying to malign me over some characters in my novel, which is purely a fiction and has nothing to do with the University of Rajasthan," he said in a statement here.
The protagonist of the controversial novel, published recently, is a vice-chancellor who faces problems in running an academic institution.
"By portraying fictional characters of women lecturers and girl students in his novel in bad light the vice-chancellor has put stigma on all women teachers and the girl students in the university," said Renuka Pamecha, a university teacher and women rights activist.

Bureau Report