Students attack UP Governor over remarks on Sanskrit
Shahira Naim
Tribune News Service

Lucknow, February 9
Governor T.V. Rajeswar had a narrow escape in Varanasi when angry students of Sampurnanand Sanskirt Mahavidhyalaya physically attacked him for his “anti-Sanskirt” speech at the convocation of the university, here today.

The police resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the irate students, following which five students received minor injuries. Another student, Prem Chand Nag, has been detained by the police for interrogation.

The national anthem was sung in a hurry to quickly conclude the programme. The governor was escorted out of the premises with heavy police protection as students continued to hurl chairs on the dais where the Mr Rajeswar, also the chancellor of the University, was seated along with vice-chancellor Ashok Kumar Kalia and other senior academicians of the university.

Trouble started when the governor, while delivering the presidential address at the university’s 27th convocation, questioned the relevance of Sanskrit in the fast-changing world. He said in his address that only those who wanted to become priests and Sanskrit scholars should study the language.

“If you want to earn Rs 2-3 lakh, go abroad and succeed in the global world, then Sanskrit is not enough. You should equip yourself with other skills as well as be fluent in English. One can no longer be content with the bullock cart when man is walking on the moon”, pointed out Mr Rajeswar, much to the chagrin of the students.

Rumbling in the crowd was noticeable even while the governor was speaking, a clear indication that his speech was not going well with the students of the Sanskrit University. Soon the students started shouting slogans against the governor and the vice-chancellor.

An alarmed security staff quickly came to the rescue as chairs started being hurled on the stage forcing the conclusion of the function.

Refusing to clam down, the students pelted stones on the governor’s cavalcade, forcing the police to resort to lathi-charge.

While refusing to comment on the incident, the vice-chancellor said the academic session of the university will not be effected and classes would resume tomorrow.