From the council discussions for some now and innovative initiatives, the idea for a literary magazine developed. Though there were several other ideas including a University fest, only magazine was realized. The decision was made in January 2016. PUSC processed its papers and submitted to the administration for the approval. Meanwhile, we began to collect the materials for the magazine. In March, we cleared the in-principle approval and moved for the tender process. But it was over only by the second week of April. Till then, it was a kind of uncertainty. The administration may deny permission at any time if they wish. They could have easily created reasons for that. But they never tried to block the magazine but helped us to their extent. We submitted the print copy and pdf as well to the Editor in Chief, Prof. P. Moorthy, who was the Students’ Welfare Dean. Later, VC signed the purchase order- the approval for printing.
Soon after the assembly elections, 7000 copies of the magazine reached PU campus. It was kept in the Council office till July but a copy was given to Prof. Moorthy. As he wanted to bring some dignitaries like Chief Minister or Lt. Governor to publish the magazine, we waited for a bigger event organizing by the Dean, Students’ Welfare. In a seminar organized by the office, the magazine was published by the Vice Chancellor( i / c) Prof. Anisa Basheer Khan. According to the comrades who were present at the meeting, Prof. Prakash Babu, the Dean, Students’ Welfare of HCU( who was attending the seminar) made some comments on the use of‘ institutional murder’ of Rohit Vemula, to Prof. Anisa. Later we came to know that Prof. Babu is completely against to the movements developed after the murder of Vemula. Though the PU authorities did not mention his name, they immediately questioned the council members that what proof do we have to prove that Vemula’ s death is an‘ institutional murder’. Prof. Moorthy also changed his tone coming back to the office that we cannot distribute the magazine right now. But the comrades began the distribution and they almost issued 3000 copies.
Next day, the media carries several stories regarding the content of the magazine. The articles were critical to the central government by all means. From Vemula to JNU, neo-liberal economic policies to the occupy UGC movement found their place in the magazine. The editorial was affirmative and clear.
“ A year has passed by where the democratic nation has turned into a fascist one where the Dalits are burned alive and the educational institutions were saffronized. The country has been witnessing the spring of resistance from the ultimate sovereign, the people. The central universities were traumatized and the students were overthrown to the streets. The story hasn’ t end there. It turned out to be the largest critical uprising against the regime. In such a situation our voices are to be heard, our thoughts are to be shared.
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