Rajasthan Deputy CM, Law Minister urge closure of row over VC Mishra’s Aurangzeb remark

Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Dr Prem Chand Bairwa and Law Minister Jogaram Patel have sought to set at rest the controversy over the Mohan Lal Sukhadia University vice chancellor Prof Sunita Mishra’s remarks about the erstwhile Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

Talking to the media here on Friday, Bairwa and Patel said, “VC Prof Mishra has apologised and admitted that it was her mistake”.

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“In my opinion, when somebody makes an apology for his or her wrongdoing, then matter can be deemed closed”, Patel said, responding to a query about whether the government has accepted her apology.

“You (scribes) should also view at it that way and should not drag it further”, Patel added.

VC Prof Mishra on Wednesday apologised to the people of the Mewar, the Sarva Samaj, particularly the Karni Sena and the Rajputs, for calling Aurangzeb an “efficient ruler”.

In a letter of apology, she has stated, “The sacred land Mewar is not merely a geographical region (of the planet), but is the living symbol of valour, self-pride and sacrifices.

Great warriors like Prithviraj Chauhan and Maharana Pratap were born on this sacred land. These proud sons of Mewar, Rajputana had never compromised on the pride of the motherland and the religious sanctity, not even in difficult situations. They would always remain a source of inspiration to all of us”.

She clarified, “At an international conference at Udaipur on Sept 12, I have described in a statement, Aurangzeb as an efficient ruler. This has hurt sentiments of followers of Maharana Pratap and the Rajput samaj. This is my mistake, I never meant to disrespect the sacred land of Mewar and its historic heroes.

Therefore, I apologise with folded hands, to people of Mewar, people of Rajasthan, particularly to the Rajput samaj and Sri Karni Sena for my mistake”, Prof Mishra said, adding, “Kindly excuse me!”

However, Governor Haribhau Bagade, in his capacity as the Chancellor, had set up a 5-member panel headed by the Divisional Commissioner of Udaipur for investigation in the case and submit a report to the Governor urgently.

Despite VC Prof. Mishra’s apology, groups of students, Rajput youths, and some teachers continued their protest in Udaipur, demanding her removal from the post.

A principal of a Udaipur local college and four protesting students were taken into custody in this connection.