Online war over Thapar Kluge Chair

Thapar has already taken up the post in May and will be there for the next 10 months. She is the first holder of the chair where she will be pursuing research on ‘‘Historical Consciousness in Early India.’’

Calling the appointment a move to ‘‘discredit Hindu civilisation,’’the opposition, which has posted an online petition on the Net, is also critical of the research topic given to her.

In the first petition on the Internet — signed by 2,951 people — the group calls her an ‘‘antagonist of India’s Hindu civilisation.’’

‘‘As a well-known Marxist, she represents a completely Euro-centric world view. I fail to see how she can be the correct choice to represent India’s ancient history and civilisation. She completely disavows that India ever had a history,’’ A.R. Brannon says in the petition.

‘‘Prof Thapar has consistently suppressed ideas and views opposed to her own. She cannot be called an authority on Indian history,’’ writes Srichand N. Sidhwani after signing the petition on the Net.

Support for Thapar hasn’t lagged behind. ‘‘You just accused her of being a Leftist. What has that got to do with anything?’’ said Bombay HC lawyer Gautam Patel who started the counter-attack.

The counter petition — posted last Tuesday and sent to e-mail addresses — supports Thapar’s appointment and has supporters like Praful Bidwai and lawyer Prashant Bhushan. ‘‘I thought this whole petition was ridiculous. If you can’t stand on an issue you attack the person behind it. This is becoming a trend in the country,’’ said Patel.

Prashant Bhushan said, ‘‘What’s wrong with being a Marxist. Thapar represents the best intellectual tradition.’’