Sibal makes vice chancellor apologies for sexist barb on women writers

Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishavidyalaya vice- chancellor ( V- C) V. N. Rai on Tuesday tendered an unconditional apology in writing for his comments on women writers.

The IPS officer was asked to do so by human resource development minister Kapil Sibal, who had summoned him.

Rai was widely criticized for calling women writers chhinal (prostitutes). In a recent interview to Bharatiya Jnanpith journal Naya Gyanyoday , he had said: “ Feminist discourse is now reduced to a grand celebration of infidelity.” In his defence, Rai had said his remarks were in his capacity as a writer and not as a V- C. But that failed to cut ice with the ministry, sources said.

He was told to don either the hat of a writer or that of the V-C. The ministry has also started an inquiry into the incident.

On Tuesday, women literatuers — led by CPM politburo member Brinda Karat — met Sibal. The writers and novelists had gathered under the banner of organisations such as Janvadi Lekhika Sangh, Dalit Lekhika Sangh and Jansanskriti Manch to protest against the V- C’s “ vulgar, lewd and disrespectful” comments.

Rai’s apology failed to pacify them and they pressed for the V- C’s removal. The writers could also approach President Pratibha Patil, who is also the university’s chancellor.

“ He is basically a police officer without any academic qualification, who believes in ‘ third degree’. His mentality towards women is also similar,” leading novelist Maitreyi Pushpa said after meeting Sibal.

Her autobiography had come under a veiled attack from the V- C. “ Rai hasn’t been nurtured as an academician and has no academic credentials.

He is unfit to be the V- C of any university,” Savita Singh of IGNOU’s gender and development studies department said. Describing Rai as “ feudal and patriarchal”, Singh added his remarks were “ not a slip of tongue” and revealed his mentality.

Rai had earlier faced flak for his casteist comments. “ He is known to be a casteist. That explains his antiwomen attitude too,” IGNOU’s Vimal Thorat said.

A few months ago, Dalit professor Lele Karunyakara had complained to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes that the V- C was harassing him for “ his caste prejudices”.