Arjun, take note: Your new IIMA chairman says Gujarat shining so don’t talk Godhra

Appointed by HRD Minister Arjun Singh after Infosys mentor N R Narayan Murthy’s term came to an end — his term was not extended — Singhania said: “IIMA has acquired a brand equity image. But with this exalted position, come responsibilities too. Do exercise caution, my young boys and girls, and prevent this great temple of learning from (being) politicised. With 140 billion dollars of foreign investment sitting in Gujarat kitty, talk of Godhra signifies confused thinking, that can easily erode a hard-earned reputation. To those whose lives will soon change dramatically, hopefully for the better, after spending a gruelling two years here, I say this — draw a Lakshman Rekha in your life, a line that you shall never cross.” Singhania’s comment on Godhra is in sharp contrast to the stand taken by his predecessor Narayan Murthy who made his anguish and outrage known over the post-Godhra riots while he was chairman of the board of IIMA directors. Wipro’s Azim Premji, too, on a visit to Gujarat soon after the violence raised questions about the viability of setting up his business in an atmosphere of “fear and persecution.”

Singhania’s call to the students to draw a “lakshman rekha” is also being seen as a message to the academic community here — IIMA students had held silent demonstrations against the riots at the campus main entrance and were even heckled and attacked by VHP and Bajrang Dal members in March 2002.

Singhania began his speech by taking a cryptic swipe at chief guest Finance Minister P Chidambaram as well: “…just as you have done with your far reaching changes. Mr Chidambaram, by your policies aimed at globalising the Indian economy…My best wishes to you, Sir, but care must be taken, for too much devolution of absolute power to juniors too soon, with unrealistic targets are formulas for disaster, certainly for the honest taxpayer.”