‘Offensive’ skit on Ambedkar, Dalits: Six students of Jain University suspended
Bengaluru: Six students of Jain University Centre for Management Studies were suspended, after a video went viral on social media, showing them enacting a skit that allegedly made offensive remarks against Dr B R Ambedkar as well as Dalits.
An officer of Jain University has said that a disciplinary committee of experts had been constituted as per the guidelines of the University Grants Commission (UGC) to investigate the matter, reports The Indian Express.
The college is organizing a youth festival that will continue till February 20 and the suspended students were performing at the festival. The matter came to light on Thursday.
Aakshay Bansode, state member of the Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi, filed a police complaint and requested police superintendent of Nanded in Maharashtra to take action against the students as well as the Jain University.
Bansode has alleged that the skit is highly casteist and that it is performed with ill motives ‘to intentionally insult and humiliate the community and people belonging to it’. “Moreover, the derogatory and defamatory statement about Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar is also highly offensive at large and showcases intention of the performers and the university authorities as this act went through various checks yet was allowed to perform on stage and publish it on social media,” Bansode has alleged in his complaint.
Jain University authorities have stated that the University has submitted before the public ‘an unconditional apology’. They have added that the matter is being probed. “The skit’s intention was to highlight the anti-caste system in the country. However, the students went a little overboard in their presentation. As soon as we realised that the skit was offensive, we immediately suspended the boys. We also called the students’ parents and informed them about the incident. As per UGC guidelines the university has also formed a disciplinary committee that will take a decision in the matter after an inquiry,” said an officer of the University.
He further clarified, “Since the skit was a part of Mad-Ads, the performance was an extempore. Although it highlights the anti-caste system prevailing in society, the students took more liberty. We totally condemn the act.”
Members of The Delroys Boys, a theatre group from CMS, who performed the skit, have stated on Instagram that the skit did not reflect discrimination. The group has also issued a public apology in the matter. The Instagram account of The Delroys Boys, however, appears to have been deactivated.
@JainDeemedtbUnv Bangalore students Who made hate speech against Dalit community and our leader Dr.Babasaheb in their university event. Video is in next tweet.I filed complent today at @NandedPolice
— Aakshay Bansode (@Aakshay_Bansode) February 9, 2023
Also Rqstng @BlrCityPolice and @JainDeemedtbUnv take action against the student pic.twitter.com/zX3FZUGrJY
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US–Iran first round direct talks conclude in Islamabad: Report
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The first round of direct talks between the United States and Iran, held in Islamabad, has concluded, Al Jazeera reported citing sources close to the development.
According to the report, following the discussions, delegations from both sides agreed to exchange written documents, a move aimed at ensuring clarity and consensus on the understandings reached during the meeting.
Both the Iranian and US delegations arrived in Islamabad on Saturday, April 11, amid high security for the peace talks.
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