Vadodara-based Maharaja Sayajirao University is caught in the middle of a storm over an exhibition in its Fine Arts faculty. Some students had displayed objectionable portraits of Hindu gods and goddesses which has sparked outrage.

Akhil Bharatiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the students’ wing of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has objected to the same and called for the resignation of the dean.

As per information obtained, for the annual painting exhibition of the Fine Arts faculty, the students had prepared artwork on various topics. However, some of that artwork created outrage.

While some students used cutouts to make portraits of Hindu gods and goddesses, some made nude paintings. Newspapers were used to make artwork with cutouts. However, the news used to make such portraits was of rapes. Which has triggered the row.

Following this, the ABVP workers had reached the exhibition and demanded the resignation of the dean amid sloganeering.

They also demanded that proper inquiry is carried out on the students and action taken. The ABVP leaders also submitted an application in this regard to the dean and the vice-chancellor.

In its letter to the vice-chancellor, the ABVP said that it is a matter of shame to use news clippings of rapes to create the iconography of Hindu gods and goddesses. Further, it is condemnable that behind the photographs of Hindu gods and goddesses, news clippings of rapes are added.

ABVP letter to VC, MSU

Earlier also the Fine Arts faculty had put up offensive artwork which hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus.

Speaking to OpIndia, ABVP leader Vajra Bhatt said that some of the artwork for the exhibition in the Fine Arts faculty were hurtful to Hindus as the portraits of gods and goddesses were made of newspaper clippings that talked about rapes.

If you want to talk and highlight issues of rape, it is fine, but why drag Hindu gods and goddesses? This is why we are demanding the dean be rusticated. University has assured us that a thorough investigation will be carried out in this case.

In a statement, the ABVP said that in the name of art, the pictures of Hindu gods and goddesses are wilfully distorted and insulted. Further, the pride of India, the Ashok Pillar has also been distorted. Hence, ABVP has asked for strict action against those involved.

However, faculty dean Jayram Podwal has claimed that the images that are viral are not of MSU and such images are not displayed at the varsity.

(With inputs from Lincoln Sokhadia)

Note: Originally published in Gujarati, you can read it here.