Court notice to Delhi University on ‘controversial’ Ramayana article
By IANSTuesday, July 6, 2010
NEW DELHI - The Supreme Court Tuesday issued notice to Delhi University on a petition related to a “controversial and blasphemous” article on the Ramayana, which is part of the reading material of the B.A. (Honours) history course.
The petition sought a direction to Vice-Chancellor Deepak Pental to place the report of an expert committee on the article before the university’s Academic Council, which is responsible for maintenance of standards of instruction and education.
Petitioner Dina Nath Batra alleged the article, “Three hundred Ramayanas: Five Examples and Three thoughts on Translation” by Prof. A.K. Ramanujam, was controversial and blasphemous.
The article is a part of the book used by second year students.
The notice was issued by the Supreme Court bench headed by Justice P. Sathasivam and comprising Justice B.S. Chauhan.
The petitioner contended there were several passages and instances in the book that hurt the feelings of Hindus. He also said that the vice-chancellor granted him a personal hearing during which he submitted the material and evidence on the controversial portions of the book.
The petitioner said the report of the expert committee and the evidence given by him should be placed before the Academic Council so that it could take a final call.
The petitioner said this was necessary so that the book could be withdrawn from the next academic year.
