Over 350 LSR alumnae condemn Vohra’s sexist, misogynistic remarks

Over 300 alumnae of Lady Shri Ram College (LSR) have condemned the remarks made by retired diplomat Deepak Vohra during a lecture at the college on September 11 and have asked the college’s senior management to explain how the event took place.

In a petition signed by the alumnae across the world, the association stated that Vohra “freely articulated misogynist and communal views without being challenged at a lecture on the college premises.”

“He made openly anti-Muslim comments, told the young women in the audience that their roles were primarily that of mothers of future citizens, directed wholly inappropriate remarks to the principal of the college from the stage, thereby insulting also the institution she heads,” it added.

The alumnae added that there was no censure or objection expressed at the event itself and students were not even allowed to walk out in protest. The alumnae recalled their experiences, saying, “When we graduated from this college, we were equipped with self-awareness, recognised the values we cherished and felt equipped to rise to any challenge life threw at us.”

The petition concluded, “Institutions stand for a vision for the future, which their leadership holds in trusteeship for the next generation. LSR stands for a set of values that thousands of women have contributed to. It is not for anyone to insult and destroy,” the petition concluded.

Mukulika Banerjee, Professor of Anthropology at London School of Economics and, an alumna of LSR, said, “We do not recall an event such as the one involving Mr Deepak Vohra, held inside LSR, where such blatantly communal and misogynist statements have been made.”

“We have written to the principal asking her to address our concerns,” she added.

Earlier, renowned writer and political scientist Nivedita Menon, a former political science professor at Lady Shri Ram College, was denied entry to the campus over her political views, with the college citing its apolitical position.

“Vohra was openly aligned towards a particular ideology, I don’t know why they can’t do a simple background check,” a first-year student at the LSR said. A guest lecture by retired diplomat Deepak Vohra at Lady Shri Ram College (LSR) on September 11, meant to discuss India’s future, sparked criticism and unrest on campus.

Organised by the BA Programme department as the academic year’s inaugural event, it drew over 700 students. However, Vohra’s speech, which began with informal humour, reportedly turned sexist, casteist, misogynistic and communal, leading to discomfort and protests from students.