Jnanpith panel sacks V-C Rai

The Bharatiya Jnanpith on Tuesday removed the V-C of Mahatma Gandhi International Hindi University,Wardha,from the selection panel of Jnanpith awardees with immediate effect for making derogatory remarks against women writers.

The writers have asked the government to sack Vibhuti Narain Rai from the post of V-C,and rejected the apology he submitted to HRD Minister Kapil Sibal on Tuesday for calling women writers “chhinal”,as was first reported by The Sunday Express.

Jnanpith winner Mahashweta Devi said: “A V-C of such an institution cannot go scot free after making such remarks. I urge the government to sack him.”

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A group of prominent women writers including Ramanika Gupta,Anamika,Maitreyi Pushpa and Savita Asasthi met Sibal,urging him to remove him.

NCW chairperson Girija Vyas said: “We have written to the HRD ministry seeking strict action against Rai.”