Over 200 teachers of Delhi University have issued a statement condemning the recent public utterances of PM Narendra Modi on the late Rajiv Gandhi, saying the former has "lowered the dignity of the office of the Prime Minister by making derogatory and untrue remarks" about the latter.
"History records the deeds of the good and the noble but rarely does it pay attention to the carping of lesser individuals... No former prime minister has ever stooped to this level through such actions as has Shri Narendra Modi," said the statement, which was also tweeted out by Congress leader Sam Pitroda.
The DU teachers' statement comes after Modi, while slamming Congress President Rahul Gandhi at an election rally on the Rafale controversy, said, "Your father was termed 'Mr Clean' by his courtiers, but his life ended as 'Bhrashtachari No 1' (corrupt number 1)." The statement attracted widespread condemnation, including by Opposition leaders Mamata Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav and Chandrababu Naidu.
Controversy Over Some ‘Denying’ Signing Letter
Soon after the letter surfaced, TV channel Times Now claimed that two professors named in the letter – identified as professor Vijika, and professor Manoj from KMC college – denied signing it.
However, speaking to ANI later, professor Manoj Sharma said that he did give his signature for the statement, as he condemned PM Modi’s remark. Speaking on the controversy over the purported denial, he said:
“I got a call asking me if I have written a letter against the prime minister. I have not written such a letter personally. But I am a signatory to the what has been stated in the letter where the statement has been condemned. But I was not asked this question... Maybe because I was not able to understand their question properly, that’s why I denied it.”Professor Manoj Sharma to ANI
Former DUTA President Aditya Narayan Misra, who is listed as the number 1 signatory on the letter, agreed that a proper procedure of taking consent was followed with regard to the the DU teachers’ statement, as he asserted that it was not right to make the comments on a prime minister who is no more.
''Our signature campaign is still going on... What was the need for the PM (Modi) to say such things? It was totally uncalled for," Misra told The Quint.
‘Facts and Constitutional Language Should be Used in Public Speeches’
Another signatory to the letter, Dr Richa Raj of Jesus and Mary College, also said that that it was a genuine one, and she had indeed given her consent for the same.
When asked about Modi's comments on the late prime minister, Raj, who is an elected member of the Academic Council, DU, remarked:
“One really needs to use Constitutional language and factually-correct statements in public speeches. Using the word ‘bhrashtachari’ to describe a leader who brought democracy to the doorsteps of crores of Indians, by decentralising local governance through Panchayati Raj system, is unbelievable. The PM must focus on facts. Facts are very important. People should not be misled.”Professor Richa Raj to The Quint
Former DUTA treasurer Rajesh Upadhyaya, listed as the second signatory, also stood by the letter, saying the remarks made by Modi were “very derogatory and insulting.”
“We cannot forget that he (Rajiv Gandhi) has sacrificed his life for the nation and we cannot forget his contribution. He was not indicted by any agency of corruption,” he said.
Pointing towards the “achievements” of former PM Rajiv Gandhi, the DU teachers’ statement made references to the Bofors guns, the ease in train travel as well as advances in the telecom and the IT sectors.
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