A section of students protested against controversial former Bastar Inspector General S.R.P. Kalluri’s visit to the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) on Saturday. Mr. Kalluri had been invited to a seminar titled ‘Rashtriya Patrakarita’ (National Journalism in the Current Perspective: Media and Myth).
Apart from the former IG’s visit, the protesters were upset with the yagya that was held before the seminar and the topic of the event itself.
IIMC DG reacts
IIMC’s Director General K.G. Suresh, however, defended the event saying that “whenever a yagya happens, people with rakshasi pravartiyan (demonic instincts) try to create ruckus.”
He also asked that “if a yagya does not happen in India, will it happen in the neighbouring country?”
Ankit Kumar Singh, a student of the outgoing batch who was among the protesters, said, “The seminar started at 9.30 a.m. but students were not allowed entry. The college administration forced its will on us.”
Another student, Prakriti Sharma, alleged that only some students were not allowed inside. “Why is a yagya being performed in a State-promoted public institution?” asked Ms. Sharma.
‘Torturing journalists’
The protesters, who held placards reading ‘Kalluri Go Back’, alleged that he was responsible for torturing journalists in the Naxal-affested region.
Aware of the protest outside, Mr. Suresh said, “People have no issues when Hurriyat leaders are called, but there’s a problem if Mr. Kalluri comes. If people want to ask him questions, they can do so. But why not listen to what he has to say.”
The students, meanwhile, alleged that they were threatened. “More than 50 alumni had mailed Mr. Suresh, besides 10 students from the present batch. We are in constant fear of not getting degrees if we question the administration,” said Mr. Ankit.
