ABVP disrupts Arjun Singh's speech, four arrested

Ranchi, Apr 18 (UNI) ABVP activists today disrupted Union HRD Minister Arjun Singh's speech here protesting the inclusion of certain controversial topics in the course curriculum.

Security forces were deployed at Ranchi College, where the 23rd convocation of Ranchi University was underway. However, they were caught off-gaurd by the sudden hullabaloo created by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad leaders when Mr Singh was delivering his speech, in presence of Governor Syed Sibtey Razi, Chief Minister Madhu Koda, state HRD minister Bandhu Tirkey and a large audience.

Police arrested four of them who were demonstrating with black flags.

As Mr Singh was delivering his speech, the protestors suddenly started raising slogans - ''Arjun Singh hai hai...Arjun Singh go back''.

Police led by Senior Superintendent of Police Manbinder Singh Bhatia brought the situation under control after some time.

Resuming his speech, Mr Singh said he would hear the grievances if the same were presented in a ''democratic way''.

Mr Razi, the president of the convocation and RU Chancellor, later condemned the incident and apologised for the disruption in the proceedings.

The ABVP also distributed some leaflets that said Mr Singh was answerable as to why an article on artist M F Hussain, who had portrayed Hindu Gods and Goddesses in derogatory manner, was included in the curriculum.

Besides they took exception to certain chapters in the syllabus that termed Guru Govind Singh as Mansabdar of mughol, freedom fighters like Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Lala Lajpat Rai as terrorists, epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana as fables besides Aryasamaj as anti-nationals.

The ABVP also blocked the busy circular road in the city.

UNI