The Vice-Chancellor’s “outsider” reference was apparently geared toward Mamata Banerjee.(FILE)
Kolkata:
Below hearth from numerous quarters for his remark that Rabindranath Tagore was “an outsider” in Shantiniketan, Visva Bharati Vice-Chancellor Prof Bidyut Chakraborty on Friday apologised for the remark however insisted that it was misinterpreted.
Tagore had based Visva-Bharati in 1921 and it turned a central college in 1951.
Amid the row at Visva-Bharati over Poush Mela floor fencing, Chakraborty mentioned in an announcement on August 23 that Tagore had additionally come to Bolpur from exterior to arrange the institute.
The VC’s “outsider” reference was apparently geared toward West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who mentioned,
“Outsiders had been current through the building of the boundary wall on Poush Mela floor, an motion not in consonance with Tagore’s beliefs of training within the lap of nature”.
“I do sincerely apologise if my use of the outsider phrase with respect to Tagore has harm anybody’s sentiment. I’m deeply sorry. Sure, they’re integral with Shantiniketan. And I had by no means meant anything,” Mr Chakraborty advised a information channel.
A piece of the college, the ashramites, previous and current college students of the institute objected to the VCs comment.
“However should you look at my total assertion intently, you will note I had simply referred to a historic and geographical truth. Rabindranath Tagore and (his father) Devendranath Tagore had as soon as stopped at this place a few years again. They preferred it and Shantiniketan got here up afterwards,” he mentioned.
“Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore was an outsider himself; had he not taken a liking to the world, Visva-Bharati would not
have advanced,” he had mentioned within the assertion.
Mr Chakraborty stood by his earlier feedback that delinquent actions are being taken place on Poush Mela floor and mentioned, “We wish the reality to return out. We demand an impartial and neutral probe.”
Bother had erupted on the central institute on August 17 after hundreds of locals ransacked its property and tore down a gate to protest in opposition to the fencing work round Poush mela floor. A number of individuals additionally vandalised the development tools on the bottom.
Visva Bharati has demanded a CBI inquiry into the incident and deployment of central forces on the campus, whereas blaming a TMC MLA and a few native ruling get together leaders for the violence.
Mr Chakraborty alleged that his spouse has been just lately threatened by an unidentified motorcyclist when she went out of the campus to purchase greens.
Police mentioned there was no criticism from the VC or his household on this regard.
Requested in regards to the cost that he’s near the BJP, the VC mentioned “If anybody can substantiate it, I’ll do no matter that particular person will inform me.
(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is printed from a syndicated feed.)
