Historian sacked by IHRC

A professor of history at Delhi University, he has served as joint secretary of the Indian Historical Congress and is known for his liberal views on Indian history. He had demanded that the World Archaeological Conference discuss the vandalism at Ayodhya and supported a resolution condemning the demolition of Babri Masjid.

Among the reasons that have abruptly cut short his tenure is his tussle with ICHR chairman Professor S Settar. At the meeting he was accused of indiscipline and undermining the authority of thechairman.

Subramanian, however, explains: “The honorary chairman, who is not a resident of Delhi, was interfering in the day-to-day work of the member-secretary which is a full-time post. It is against the rules and regulations governing the ICHR. I tried to bring about some fiscal and administrative reforms which were not appreciated.”

In a letter written to the ICHR chairman last month (a copy of which is available with us) he had pointed out, “There is lack of fiscal discipline in spending the meagre resources available to ICHR. The budget proposals are seldom approved by the administrative committee and diversion of funds from one head of expenditure to another is frequently noticed.”

It also referred to “the malafide intentions in securing sanction for the huge expenditure on regional centres (recently set up) by ICHR Director Sushil Kumar”.

The ICHR Council was recently reconstituted with several historians who have a known pro-BJP stand. Prominent among the new members who are believed tohave a pro-BJP and pro-Ayodhya bias are professors B B Lal, B P Sinha, B B Grover, Satish Mittal, and Hari Om. These historians had earlier supported several theories propounded by the RSS on Indian history.

“The decision to remove Subramanian is totally arbitrary and illegal as no chargesheet has been served on him and no inquiry was ever conducted,” a well-known Delhi-based historian said, on condition of anonymity.

Subramanian is said to be examining the legal course to challenge his dismissal.