JU takes down ‘Kreeda Bharati’ poster

Kolkata: Jadavpur University (JU) on Monday withdrew the poster of Kreeda Bharati, a sports organisation founded by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), from its website following widespread protests and objections from teachers, students and alumni. The poster was about an event at Red Road on the occasion of International Yoga Day on June 21. An official said, "The majority of teachers and students expressed objection to the poster on the official website. So the vice-chancellor verbally told one of the staff to withdraw the poster on Monday." Goutam Maity of ABUTA, JU local chapter, said, "We had demanded withdrawal of the poster because promotion of an event by an ideologically identified external organisation unrelated to the university is inconsistent with the university's autonomous and secular character." JUTA assistant general secretary Rajyeswar Sinha said, "Removing the poster is desirable and is a wise decision."