University in Tamil Nadu withdraws Arundhati Roy's book from syllabus after ABVP objects

Manonmaniam Sundaranar University in Tamil Nadu's Tirunelveli withdrew Arundhati Roy's book "Walking With the Comrades" from its syllabus, following objections from ABVP.

The book, based on the author's visit to Maoist hideouts, was prescribed for the third-semester postgraduate English syllabus since 2017.

"The book was included in the syllabus in 2017. It was only a week ago that it was brought to our notice that Ms. Roy had glorified Maoists. So we formed a committee to discuss the issue and the panel recommended its withdrawal" said Vice- Chancellor K.Pitchumani.

ABVP had complained against the book, he added.

Ms Roy first wrote it as an essay in the Outlook magazine in 2010. ABVP leader C.Vignesh said that Maoist and Naxal policies had been imposed on the students for the last three years. He had warned that if the university did not withdraw the book from the syllabus they would send letters to the Union Ministry of Education and launch a protest.

Meanwhile In a statement, DMK's Deputy General Secretary A.Raja said it is for the Vice Chancellor, professors and education experts to decide as to what should be included as the syllabus.

He said, "In post graduate courses, students are given a chance to read history and literature, and the students will take what is needed and leave out what is not needed".

Raja said in order to make education saffron coloured, the University has removed the book which is condemnable.

(with inputs from IANS)