Mysuru: Dalit Sangharsh Samiti protests against KSOU V-C over ‘Ekatma Manava’ event

Members of the Dalit Sangharsh Samiti (DSS), Mysuru district unit, along with other progressive groups, staged a protest in front of Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) on Hunsur Road on Wednesday (April 1) against Vice-Chancellor Sharanappa V. Halase for allowing an event on Hindutva ideologue Deendayal Upadhyaya to be held on the campus recently.

The protesters demanded that the Vice-Chancellor be placed under suspension pending a thorough inquiry. They also urged the government to ensure that the university does not host similar events in the future.

The Vice-Chancellor has been facing criticism for allegedly “allowing” and “participating” in the ‘Ekatma Manava Darshan – Bharat’s World View’ programme held on the Muktagangotri campus, despite directions from the State government against hosting the event.

The conference, organised by Prajna Pravah and Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation, was held from March 25 to 27 to commemorate 60 years of Upadhyaya’s lectures on ‘Ekatma Manav Darshan’. The controversy escalated after the invitation card reportedly listed KSOU as the host university and carried its logo, prompting the government to issue a notice to the Vice-Chancellor for an explanation.

In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the DSS accused the V-C of failing to maintain a conducive academic environment and allegedly “misusing” the campus for activities deemed “non-academic” in nature. It further alleged that he violated government protocol by proceeding with the event despite instructions to cancel it, thereby bringing discredit to the position.

The protesters also demanded a judicial probe into alleged irregularities within the university.