THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: MP Shashi Tharoor has said as an academician he would support including the texts of RSS ideologues V D Savarkar and M S Golwalkar since the students have to grow critically learning all such ideologies and concepts.
“It is not wrong to read them. What is the point of going to universities if you want to read only what you like? I am commenting as an academician not as a politician. Students must critically understand all perspectives,” he said while commenting on the present controversies over including the texts of Savarkar and Golwalkar in Kannur University syllabus.
“Faculties can ensure that the RSS leaders’ works are not glorified while teaching them. The teachers also have the responsibility. Some friends disapprove of my stand that academic freedom requires us to read, understand and debate every point of view, including those we disagree with. If we don’t read Savarkar and Golwalkar, on what basis will we oppose their ideas,?” he said, adding that the Kannur University also teaches Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore.
“We cannot ban books from universities. Works of Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru are also part of the said syllabus. It would have been wrong if the students were taught only the RSS books,” he added.
Governor Arif Mohammed Khan had also echoed a similar view in the controversy and supported the inclusion of Savarkar and Golwarkar’s books in the syllabus. “There should be opportunities for children to study different ideologies,” the governor, who is also the chancellor of the university, had said.
“The beauty of the Indian culture is its diversity. The students should have every opportunity to learn and understand all concepts and ideologies. This would only benefit the students in developing their knowledge and skills. This will help the students improve their thought process which can help in contributing for the country’s development. This is the recognized fact in the society,” the governor had said.
