[The main point here while the Sena has been able to make the Mumbai University VC kow tow to its diktat, it has failed to terrorise the common citizenry in the usual "Sena way". In the very recent past it has failed to expel Pakistani artistes from an ongoing TV show despite resorting to its usual "Sena way". That's a significant departure from the not-so-distant past.]
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIM/2010/10/19&PageLabel=6&EntityId=Ar00601&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T <http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIM/2010/10/19&PageLabel=6&EntityId=Ar00601&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T> Passages from Mistry’s book read publiclyPronoti Datta TNN Mumbai: Passages from Rohinton Mistry’s book ‘Such A Long Journey’, which has been embroiled in controversy following objections from the Shiv Sena, were read out publicly on Monday in a bid to show that the book didn’t target any single group. Writers, academics, teachers, activists and others present at the meeting at the Mumbai Press Club also agreed that one should not conflate a writer’s opinions with those of his characters. A statement by Mistry was also read out at the meeting convened by Citizens’ Initiative for Peace, Committee for the Release of Dr Binayak Sen, Mumbai, and the Mumbai Initiative for Human Rights Education. Most of those present were protesting the University of Mumbai’s sudden withdrawal of the book from the BA syllabus. Last month, the book was withdrawn by vice-chancellor Rajan Welukar after Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray’s grandson Aditya Thackeray, a college student, objected to lines that he said were derogatory to the Shiv Sena and Maharashtrians. The readings by Dolly Thakore and Meher Pestonji were selected to show the book’s literary merit and prove that it did not target a particular community. Dinshawji, the character whose rant the Sena has objected to, rails against the party’s linguistic chauvinism and sweaty dabbawalas who travel in passenger compartments of trains instead of luggage. But Dinshawji also rants about Indira Gandhi’s politics. Another, portraying a group of friends cracking jokes in a canteen, shows that the book pokes good-natured fun at all communities, including Parsis. After the readings, activist and filmmaker Anand Patwardhan read out part of a statement by Mistry who has remained quiet on the issue until now. The statement said that the Sena has followed its “predictable script of threats” and Aditya Thackeray should “think independently”. A panel of speakers, including academic Pushpa Bhave, English professor Usha Subramaniam, writer and editor of Sarvodaya Jagat Kumar Prashant, business executive Anand Teltumbde and human rights activist Rohini Hensman, agreed that the withdrawal of the book was a swipe at freedom of expression. Subramaniam expressed her anger at the teaching fraternity’s tame and belated response. “Colleges quietly followed the university’s diktat,” she said. “It was as if the book never existed. Was it so easy to erase it from the memories of students and teachers? The passive response from most English departments has been the most shocking revelation.” Some pointed out that the incident is symptomatic of the threat to individual freedom posed by political parties. “We are headed towards afascist ethos, and society, out of fear probably, is tolerating it,” Patwardhan said. The meeting ended with demands that the book be put back on the syllabus and the vice-chancellor dismissed. “We should be shouting loud enough that the book is reinstated tomorrow,” Teltumbde said. -- Peace Is Doable -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth?hl=en-GB.
