Women activists seek V-C’s ouster,Sibal promises action

As reported by The Sunday Express,Rai said in a recent interview published in a noted Hindi journal Naya Gyanodaya: “Lekhikaon men hod lagi hai yeh sabit karne ki unse badi chhinal koi nahi hai.”

With many women writers demanding an explanation from him,what further shocked them was his appearance on TV channels,justifying the use of word “chhinal”.

“This is absolutely shocking. Such a V-C,whose chairperson is the President,cannot remain in his seat. I’ve already discussed the issue with Mr Sibal,” CPM MP Brinda Karat said. Karat is likely to lead a delegation of women writers to the minister on Monday,seeking action against Rai,a 1975-batch IPS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre.

In her reaction,National Commission for Women Chairperson Girija Vyas said,“At a time when women writers are struggling to make their mark,the V-C of a Hindi university is using such foul words against them. Strict action should be taken against him.”

BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said: “Both his mindset and expression are digusting and shameful. The man should be removed from his post. How did the government appoint him in the first place?”

Given that Naya Gyanodaya is brought out by the Bhartiya Jnanpith,which confers the Jnanpith awards,women writers are also questioning the institution. Underlining that Rai is also in the committee that chooses Jnanpith awardees,a writer who did not want to be named said: “How can we expect that the Jnanpith award will ever be given to a woman writer,or to a genuine author,as long as Rai is in the panel?”

Attempting to distance itself from the controversy,Managing Trustee of Bhartiya Jnanpith Akhilesh Jain said: “These remarks were certainly inappropriate. Ravindra Kalia (editor of Naya Gyanodaya) is away in Goa. We will discuss the issue with him after he returns in a few days and take appropriate action.”

Meanwhile,Mahila Sahil Samiti,an NGO based in Maharashtra,has decided to file a PIL against Rai.