Sangh fights shy of rationalist Bhagavan

KOCHI: Rationalist and Kannada author K.S. Bhagavan had a smooth entry to Sree Sankara University of Sanskrit on Wednesday evening after the Sangh Parivar outfits stepped back from a move to stage agitation at the university entrance and also inside, against his entry.

It is learnt that the outfits including ABVP students on the varsity campus took the decision in the afternoon after coming to the conclusion that protests will give undue mileage to Left outfits and give negative publicity to the Parivar. The initial decision to prevent his entry was taken as the writer, who is an eyesore for the Sangh Parivar, was invited to release the university union magazine which had the main theme of lampooning Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his famous calling Mere Pyare Desh Vasiyom to countrymen in his addresses. The articles in the magazine brought out by the college union ruled by SFI harped on anti-fascism theme. It also suggested that whenever Mr Modi set out on his Mere Pyare address, the common man in the country was sure to get the stick through policy decisions, demonetisation being the chief one. Mere Pyare Desh Vasiyom and a radio’ were picturised on the cover.

After releasing the magazine, Mr Bhagwan drew the comrades on the campus to Buddhism telling them that no other religion accommodated  other thoughts - not Hinduism or Islam or Christianity. He said campuses should allow plurality and there should be space for dissent. 

“Then only it will percolate into larger society,” he said.

He also asked them to marry from other castes to make India a caste-free society in another 15 years. “Politely decline any resistance to this by elders,” he told the youngsters.

A heavy posse of policemen was present on the campus as the Sangh Parivar representatives had conveyed their  opposition to the meeting to the Vice-Chancellor earlier.  Prof Bhagwan walked half a kilometer in a procession from the university guest house to the university for the function. The students of the varsity also presented him with his portrait on the occasion.