With an RSS representative on the dais and raising slogans of Jai Shri Ram, students of a journalism university in Noida, observed December 6, the date the Babri Masjid was demolished in 1992, as “Shaurya Diwas” (Day of Valour).

Those associated with the talk, including professors and the administration, find nothing wrong in such an event being organised inside a university campus. On the 25^th anniversary of the demolition of the Babri Masjid, students of the Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication (MCU), Noida Campus, organised a talk on the construction of the Ram temple. The function was attended by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Uttar Pradesh co-regional prachar pramukh Kripa Shankar, MCU’s Professor Arun Bhagat and BS Nigam. The university, which is known as a mass-production centre for journalists, failed to call a single panellist who could present the counter-view.

According to sources, the organisers had planned the talk and the formal application was forwarded to the administration only on Wednesday morning. One of the professors, also on the panel, had helped students in getting the required permissions. “A few students had called on December 5 regarding the talk but a formal application was received only on December 6,” a source in the administration told Newslaundry. The messages being circulated among MCU students clearly show that the talk was pre-planned and was very much known to teachers.

MCU student Dikshant Suryavanshi, who compered the event, said, “Yes, we had organised the event as the students demanded such an event.” When asked why was an RSS functionary called in the talk while other stakeholders were given a miss, Suryavanshi added, “It is up to you whether you want to see him as an RSS speaker or as an editor of Keshav Patrika.”

The journalism university, which has been around for almost three decades now, has been embroiled in controversy of late. To be specific, it is alleged that it has been totally saffronised. Earlier this year, MCU’s Bhopal campus was in the news for planning to build a “gaushala” inside its new under-construction campus.

On December 6, which is noted as the black day in the history of Independent India, several journalism students were heard raising Jai Shri Ram slogans. In his speech, Kripa Shankar said, “Ram janmabhoomi hamare swabhi-maan ka prateek hai. Banega hi. Ab koi rok nahi sakta hai (Ram temple is a matter of pride. It will be certainly built. No one can stop it.)” He goes on to say that all Christian and Muslims living in this country are originally Hindus who have forgotten their roots.

“Itihas utah ke dekhiyega to aapko dhyan mein aaega sab is zameen ke bete hain hain, isi Bharatmata ke putra hain, vishimrit ho gaye hain. Pyar se samjhaenge, tathya ke aadhar par samjhaenge, unko jara si chapti laga ke samjhaenge (Look history and you will find that they [Christian and Muslims] are sons of this land. We will convince them with love, on the basis of facts and, if required, we will use a bit of force),” said Kripa Shankar.

“If required we beat our brothers and sons – not to hurt them but to make them understand as they are our own,” he said. In the Facebook video, students attending the talk can be heard clapping at the suggestion of reprimanding those who have forgotten their roots.

Speaking to Newslaundry, MCU faculty Nigam defended the programme. “I don’t find anything wrong in this. It is a cultural activity…there are always many perceptions about one programme,” Nigam said. He added that he will allow students from Muslim community to observe a “Black Day” on December 6.

Trying to take a dig at controversies surrounding the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) as a ruse, Nigam said, “Ours is a very small university and we respect every section of the society. We are not a JNU.” Incidentally, the JNU administration had cancelled the permission for BJP leader Subramanian Swamy’s talk on Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

He maintained that only “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” slogans were raised during the programme. In the video, however, Suryavanshi can be heard saying, “Aaj ke balidaan, aaj ke balidaniyon ki jai (Salute to sacrifice and martyrs of today).” It is shocking to see students being groomed to become journalists raising slogans in memory of an event that had shaken the country.

When asked about the sentiments of students from the minority community, Nigam said the administration would look into the matter if anyone complains.

A source on condition of anonymity told this correspondent, “Students from the minority community did approach me after the event saying the programme was one-sided. However, there is no controversy on the campus.”

The Facebook post by the MCU students is strong enough to show – how they are being fed a particular ideology. The very fact that having no qualms in celebrating the criminal act, which damaged the secular fabric of the country speaks volumes of what is being taught to aspiring journalists.

The organisers didn’t feel the need to call a balanced panel or having historians or journalists who had covered the incident. Possibly, the teachers too felt the same. When asked about this, Nigam washed his hands of by saying the university has no responsibility as the programme was not officially endorsed.

Calls and messages to MCU vice-chancellor BK Kuthiala were not responded to. The story will be updated as and when he responds.

It would not shock one if some Hindutva organisation was celebrating the Babri Masjid demolition anniversary as “Shaurya Diwas”. But when it is observed as a day of valour in a university – it indicates that something ghastly is taking place.