Women Hindi writers vying to be seen as prostitutes: V-C

In an interview to a prominent Hindi journal that hit the stands yesterday,the Vice-Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi International Hindi University (MGIHU) has said there is a race among women writers to demonstrate they are the greatest prostitute,....

In an interview to a prominent Hindi journal that hit the stands yesterday,the Vice-Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi International Hindi University (MGIHU) has said there is a race among women writers to demonstrate they are the greatest prostitute,leading to demands for his resignation.

The entire feminist discourse has reduced to a grand celebration of infidelity,Vibhuti Narain Rai told Naya Gyanodaya,which is published by Bharatiya Jnanpith that confers the prestigious Jnanpith award.

A 1975-batch IPS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre,Rai was appointed V-C of MGIHU in 2008. The Central university was set up to promote Hindi language and literature.

Accusing him of being intoxicated with power,women writers have demanded that Rai be sacked. If he has said so,its an insult not only to women,but the violation of our Constitution. The government should immediately sack him. He doesnt deserve to be the V-C of such a noble institution, prominent writer Krishna Sobti said.

Lekhikaon men hod lagi hai yeh sabit karne ki ki unse badi chhinal koi nahi hai… Yeh vimarsh (Feminist discourse) bewafai ke virat utsav ki tarah hai, Rai says in the interview.

In a derogatory reference to a noted woman writer whose autobiography won accolades,he goes on to say: Mujhe lagta hai idhar prakashit ek bahu-promoted aur overrated lekhika ki aatmkathamak pustak ka shirshak Kitne Bistaron Men Kitni Baar ho sakta tha. (The title of a recently published autobiography of a highly promoted and overrated writer could be How Many Times in How Many Beds).

At another place in the interview,he dubs the character of a famous story as nymphomaniac kutiya.

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Asked by The Sunday Express which women writers he was referring to,Rai laughed. And repeated what he had said: Its not fair to take names,but you can see,this tendency to prove themselves the sabse badi chhinal is growing among women writers. You can find the references of kitne bistaron men kitani baar in their work.

According to award-winning writer Maitreyi Pushpa,Rais remarks reflect the mindset of men who first try to take advantage of budding women writers and then lash out when unsuccessful. Its they who pass judgments on their chastity, says Pushpa,adding: Does he use the same adjective for his girl students? Rais wife is also a writer. Where does he slot her? Pushpa feels men such as Rai are lailaaj (cant be cured). The government should immediately ban them.

Calling the V-Cs remarks hugely offensive,Shalaka Samman winner Mannu Bhandari said: He has lost all his senses. A former IPS is behaving like a street constable.

Saying she didnt expect such comments from a V-C,Pushpa adds: We women writers dont need certificates from people like Narain. So far men governed the women discourse,now when we want to come up,they are frustrated at the breakdown of patriarchal society. What can be expected of a police officer intoxicated with power?