Clamour in Harvard for Swamy’s ouster | Latest News Delhi - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Clamour in Harvard for Swamy’s ouster

Hindustan Times | ByZia Haq and Yashwant Raj, New Delhi
Jul 29, 2011 07:59 AM IST

Hindutva advocate Subramanian Swamy’s recent article in an Indian daily — in which he suggested revoking the voting rights of Indian Muslims — has prompted demands to have him fired from Harvard’s faculty for bigotry. Zia Haq and Yashwant Raj report.

Hindutva advocate Subramanian Swamy’s recent article in an Indian daily — in which he suggested revoking the voting rights of Indian Muslims — has prompted demands to have him fired from Harvard’s faculty for bigotry.

HT Image
HT Image

Swamy teaches economics at the Harvard Summer School, where he is currently stationed. In India, he leads the Janata Party.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Over 260 Harvardians — among them faculty and non-faculty members, students and even parents — have called for Swamy’s ouster in a petition to be submitted for investigation Monday. “We will give this matter our serious attention,” dean Donald H Pfister said in an emailed statement.

In a July 16 article on combating terror in the newspaper, DNA, Swamy proposed disenfranchising Muslims unless they proudly declare their alleged Hindu ancestry and declare India a “Hindu Rashtra (state)”, apart from demolishing 300 mosques.

“Swamy breaches the most basic standards of respect and tolerance,” said a petition initiated by Umang Kumar, a Harvard Divinity School student, and Sanjay Pinto, a PhD candidate.

Swamy couldn’t be reached for comment, but the Harvard Crimson, the university’s student newspaper, quoted him as saying: “Back in India, there has been wholesale support (for the article).”

Swamy earned his PhD in economics in 1965 from Harvard, where he has held several faculty positions. If the bigotry charges are established, he could be barred from the US.

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On