Mysuru, 25 March

Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) on Wednesday disregarded the State government’s directive to cancel the conclave commemorating Right-wing Deendayal Upadhyaya as Vice Chancellor Sharanappa V Halse attended the event at the campus.

Higher Education Minister MC Sudhakar on Tuesday had cancelled the event on 60 years of Deendayal Upadhyay lectures about Ekatma Manav Darshan, saying that KSOU wasn’t following protocol and that universities should be “apolitical”. Upadhyay was part of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the precursor to the BJP.

The State Higher Education Department also issued a show cause notice to Halse for granting permission for a private programme in a State-run university.

Halse, who replied to the notice, said the university rented the auditorium to the event organisers. University staff and employees are not taking part in the event, he said.

However, the varsity allowed the Right-wing organisations to use its logo and name in publicity material despite telling the government on Tuesday that it has no relationship with the event.

Halse also welcomed the guests in presence of Governor Thawarchand Gehlot, Suttur Mutt Seer Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji. Gehlot highlighted the contributions of Deendhyal Shayamprasad Mukherjee to the nation.  

South India Pragna Prahav Chief Pradeep Bharadwaj and Vice President CP Radhakrishna also inaugurated the event virtually.  Mysuru city police have beefed up security at the campus.

Among the 640 people who registered, 423 experts from across the country participated in the inaugural event, and about 118 presenting their essay papers, said Bharadwaj.