The MNS chief would be speaking on a topic titled, ‘Udyachi Marathi aani Udyacha Maharashtra (Tomorrow’s Marathi and tomorrow’s Maharashtra)’.
Police have renewed the gag order on Raj Thackeray for seven more days, but University of Mumbai vice-chancellor Vijay Khole has permitted the Marathi department to have the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief as the speaker for Marathi Divas, celebrated on February 27. Needless to say that there were voices of dissent in the senate following the V-C’s decision.
The university’s Marathi department has invited Raj to talk on Marathi Divas, also known as the Rajyabhaasha Day. The MNS chief would be speaking on a topic titled, ‘Udyachi Marathi aani Udyacha Maharashtra (Tomorrow’s Marathi and tomorrow’s Maharashtra)’.
Some members of the varsity management council, primarily the Bombay University College Teachers’ Union (Buctu), strongly opposed the invitation extended to Raj.
An HOD from the university said, “It is not the right time to invite Raj Thackeray. Most of the students here are non-Maharashtrians. It could be dangerous to have him on the campus. The vice-chancellor defended his decision to let the Marathi department invite
Raj, saying there was nothing new in political leaders coming to the university for talks.
How could he not realise that Raj at this juncture is not just any political leader!” CR Sadashivan, Buctu president, said, “The invitation will send a wrong signal to non-Maharashtrians on the campus. North Indians are still wary of him.”
The vice-chancellor was not willing to discuss the issue. He told DNA, “I don’t know if Raj Thackeray is coming to the university. There was no serious discussion on this issue.”
A university student said, “We can only hope that he does not make inflammatory speeches on the campus. This might be his chance to influence the intellectual young minds.”
Raj Thackeray will be the first speaker at the function on Thursday. Another student, Shoaib Qureshi, said, “What Raj Thackeray says is right in every way. Unfortunately, he is misinterpreted by the media. However, taking into account the widespread tension in the state, he should avoid coming to the university.”
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