It was a day when Indians would mark as history making. Yes, it was a great day for Rashmi Samant, a young aspiring woman from Manipal, a town near Udupi, Karnataka who became the first Indian to be President Elect of Oxford University Students Union. To be elected by your peers at one of the most prestigious universities in the world is indeed a monumental achievement.
However, I have come to a conclusion that Oxford University has become anti-India and even anti-Hindu. So what is it that makes me believe that there is something going wrong at this University?
Well in April 2015, the British Board of Hindu Scholars had organised an event called ‘Contrarian’. As the name suggests, it was to look at world issues, but with a unique perspective to challenge contemporary thinking. i.e. The very essence of University education. Keynote international speakers included the world-famous Indian parliamentarian Dr Subramanium Swamy, and the renowned Hindu author Shri Rajiv Malhotra. Days before the event was due to take place, the anti-India forces came together and demanded the event be cancelled. They made wild allegations against Dr Swamy and the organisers. The hysteria created was supported by some academics and collectively they succeeded in getting it cancelled. So much for freedom of speech!
I have spoken to some Indian students from Oxford University. They informed me that they know their University, and some academics, are very much anti-India and anti-Hindu. Whilst I had suspected this, I have to say, I was shocked. I asked them why they have not fought back. The answer was just as interesting. These students are terrified that if they speak out, their professors will mark them down or even fail them. Given the huge amount of money their parents spend, they succumbed to the harassment and live in a climate of fear.
So today, I speak for the Rashmi’s at Oxford University who are unable to voice their concerns.
Now we come to a chap called Abhijit Sarkar, who describes himself on the Oxford University website as a ‘British Academy Postdoctoral Researcher’. Basically, he’s part of the University. This chap made an unprecedented attack on Rashmi Samant via Social Media. In my view it amounted to harassment, bullying and incitement to religious hatred. He, along with a number of other organisations, sustained their attack on Rashmi with such ferocity, that in the end she decided to protect her health, it was better to resign.
I am amazed Oxford University has someone like Abhijit Sarkar who incites hatred on social media so openly. In one outburst, he states: 'Tell Zee News that Oxford students are still not ready for "Sanatani"'. Now just think about it, how would a Muslim take it, if you replaced ‘Sanatani’ with ‘Muslims’? Oxford University would be on its knees begging for mercy. How about if you replaced ‘Sanatani’ with say, ‘Jews’. Believe me, even the Vice-Chancellor would have no alternative but to resign.
But it’s ‘Sanatani’. So as far as Oxford University is concerned – this Abhijit can disrespect Hindus and they are OK with it. Is Oxford University condoning such racism? Does it support religious hatred by its people? And what are the Police doing? This after all breaks the Equalities Act of 2010.
I suggest the people in power at Oxford University also read Alpesh Patel’s column of last week. He makes some telling observations.
So, in the week when the world celebrated Women’s Day – how ironic that our leading educational institution is embroiled in the destruction of a young woman of colour.
