Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi, will hold a day-long seminar on Nationalistic Journalism in Current Scenario: Media and Myth on May 20th.
As per the organisers, a yagya will kickstart the seminar, which will be followed by a session on “Nationalistic Journalism in Current Perspective”. IIMC Director general KG Suresh will be one of the speakers.
Earlier, the session was scheduled to be moderated by Hitesh Shankar, editor of Panchajanya and a mouthpiece of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). But due to prior engagements, he won’t be able to come. Now, a TV news anchor will be moderating the session.
A large section of students has criticised the institute for allowing a religious activity to be held at the campus. However, the director has clarified the institute is not organising the event but only letting out its premises.
IIMC is a public funded institute and organising any religious activities on its campus is not right. The state cannot promote any one religion,” said Avinash Chanchal, a former student and a former member of IIMC Alumni Association.
Some students have questioned and raised an objection to the presence of former Bastar inspector general of police SRP Kalluri in one of the sessions. “It is ironic that a person who has been sent notice by NHRC is coming to IIMC to give a talk,” said Vikas K Sahu, a former student from Chhattisgarh.
Ashish Anshu from Media Scan, one of the organisers of the event, said Kalluri’s participation in the session is not yet confirmed.
” We are not organising the event or the yagya; none of our students or faculty members will be asked to attend. The event is being organised by a media organisation and as a media institution we are only extending support by letting out the premises,” Mr Suresh said.
