INDIA: Faculty object to book withdrawal

17 October 2010

Faculty members of the University of Mumbai have protested Vice-Chancellor Rajan Welukar's decision to withdraw Rohinton Mistry's Booker-nominated novel Such a Long Journey from the English syllabus, reports the Hundustan Times.

Academic staff association members have decided to draft a letter and send it to the chancellor of universities and governor of Maharashtra.

The book was allegedly dropped from the syllabus shortly after a visit to the vice-chancellor by Aditya Thackeray, a grandson of Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray, and members of the Shiv Sena student wing, who demanded that the book be dropped as it contained matter against Shiv Sena and the city's dabbawalas (lunch box couriers).
Full report on the Hintustan Times site

The Daily News and Analysis also reports that chief minister Ashok Chavan has expressed his concern about the controversy over the banning of Rohinton Mistry's 1991 book and has promised to investigate the matter.
Full report on the DNA site

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