Over the past two issues we’ve reviewed and reflected on the shocking events that unfolded since Chandramohan, a student at the Faculty of Fine Arts, M.S. University (Baroda), was attacked and the Dean, Prof. Shivaji Panikkar suspended. We continue our focus by publishing below an open letter recently drafted by some of the students in this faculty, followed by an editorial note to take account of events in January 2008—Hon. Editor
Dear Friends,
It is an unfortunate 'historical' opportunity that has befallen us to inform you of the wretched condition of the world-renowned Faculty of Fine Arts, M.S. University of Baroda, where matters concerning the future of the institution are still on tenterhooks. The Faculty authorities, including the Dean and the Head of the Department of Art History and Aesthetics, cowardly removed some of the murals, which the students of the Faculty of Fine Arts had produced to register their creative protest against the Authorities. We are still unable to fathom the logic behind the cultural and moral atrocities committed by our own 'renowned' teachers.
There was no nudity here. There were no gods and goddesses either. As far as we could tell, nobody's religious sentiments were hurt (Till today, none of the moral or cultural police, even after desperate attempts, have found anything they could encash for petty political gain). These murals were there for almost four months. Till the vacation began on 5th November 2007, nobody raised any critical questions about their content. But all of a sudden, on 7th November 2007, the Faculty authorities showed openly that they’re birds of the same feather. To please their masters they unabashedly took the extreme step of whitewashing some of the murals they found obscene (Mr. Niraj Jain would be the happiest person in the world. Sorry, our friends, these are bad times indeed, where people like Niraj Jain make the criteria for artistic expression). Alas! Conveniently in the absence of students. When did our respected scholars and academicians like Dr. Shailendra Khushwaha and Prof. Deepak Kannal start becoming like the wayward politicians who have nothing but petty political interests? We came to know that our Honourable Vice-Chancellor Dr. Manoj Soni is one of the probable candidates for the coming State Assembly elections in Gujarat. Are our guardians of education within the Faculty sharing any such hopes (local/Municipal elections perhaps?)
There are few images these new guardians of 'Indian culture' whitewashed. (Please see the attachments). If anybody finds the images obscene, atrocious, provocative or hurtful to any religious or other sentiments, please share your thoughts with the above- mentioned Faculty teachers.
Erasing the facts and manipulating situations are not the way to establish normalcy—because the facts cannot be erased. At the very least, the people who are closely watching what is happening in the Faculty and the Department of Art History will name you as the destroyers of this world-renowned institution.
Dear art historians and aestheticians,
Whitewashing has its own history. But one cannot whitewash history.
Students, Faculty of Fine Arts,
M.S. University (Baroda)
November 2007
Editorial Note: On the last day of 2007, as a symbolic protest against M.S. University authorities, students of the Faculty of Fine Arts had made a bonfire of the “grossly one-sided report” submitted by the varsity-appointed four-member committee on the alleged ‘obscene’ art row in May 2007. Early in January 2008, soon after the above letter was circulated, a report by a Fact-finding committee set up by the Gujarat Governor on the alleged ‘obscene’ painting row recommended that the suspension of the acting Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts, M.S. University, Shivaji Panikkar, be revoked, and he be reinstated. It also advised that the student concerned, Chandramohan, be taken back, and be judged for his work as a part of his examination. The report blames the university administration for not maintaining law and order on the campus after Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) activists attacked students on May 9, 2007. It specifically says that the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice Chancellor, and the Registrar failed to stop VHP activists. However, M.S. University authorities had asked Shivaji Panikkar, the suspended dean of the fine arts department, to appear before a disciplinary committee. Panikkar himself described the report as an “elaborate democratic” exercise and expressed “satisfaction” at the recommendations. He was optimistic about his suspension being revoked following the “unbiased report”, and said he would appear before the disciplinary committee. Still, many students at the university fear more rounds of such cultural policing, especially since Modi was re-elected as Chief Minister.
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