Bagalkot: An invitation issued by Prof Vishnuvardhan, vice-chancellor of the University of Horticultural Sciences (UHS), Bagalkot, to staff and students for a homa and havana at his official residence on Aug. 11 has triggered a controversy. As the invitation went viral on social media, several progressive and Dalit organisations questioned the use of the university’s official letterhead for a religious event. A group of writers and educationists has written to chief minister Siddaramaiah seeking the VC’s suspension.Niranjanaradhya VP, a developmental educationist from Bengaluru, said the invitation stated that the event was being organised “on behalf of our family” and officially invited officers, teaching and non-teaching staff, workers and students of the university’s main campus to attend the “Sri Satyanarayana Puja, Navagraha Shanti Homa and Sri Mahaganapati Puja”.“The venue is mentioned as the ‘Vice-Chancellor’s Residence’, Main Campus, UHS, Bagalkot. Personal faith and the functioning of a public institution are two separate matters. Nobody objects to an individual performing puja or homa. However, using the university’s official letterhead, the VC’s signature and designation to publicise a religious programme among staff and students through what amounts to an official invitation is objectionable and condemnable,” he said.Writers Kum Veerabhadrappa, Mudnakudu Chinnaswamy, Basavaraj Sulibhavi, Dr HS Anupama and KP Suresha stated that India is a secular nation committed to scientific temper. “A university is a centre of knowledge that transcends caste, religion and personal beliefs. When the head of such an institution uses the authority of his office to promote a particular religious practice, it goes against the spirit of the Constitution. Though the invitation is described as voluntary, employees and students may feel compelled to attend. This amounts to indirect pressure,” they argued.Dalit activists Anil Hosamani, Shyamarao Madar and Shivanand Tamannavar said that a varsity officially conducting rituals such as a Navagraha Shanti Homa would undermine the scientific values that educational institutions are expected to nurture. “It would amount to a government institution promoting superstition. It is concerning that such practices are becoming common in universities across the state. It is unfortunate that VCs appointed by the government are acting like priests conducting religious rituals,” they said.A group of writers, educationists and activists has urged the CM to suspend the VC and issue clear directions prohibiting religious ceremonies in the name of educational institutions or within govt buildings. They also called for measures to promote scientific temper in line with constitutional values.When contacted, Prof Vishnuvardhan told TOI that he had withdrawn the invitation issued on Aug 7 on the university letterhead and communicated the decision to 14 UHS officials.
