Welukar says board dropped Mistry book

MUMBAI: Rajan Welukar, vice-chancellor of the University of Mumbai, called on both governor K Sankaranarayanan and chief minister Ashokrao Chavan, on Friday, to discuss the varsity's decision to withdraw Rohinton Mistry's 'Such A Long Journey' from the SYBA English literature syllabus.
Welukar said the decision to remove the book from the curriculum, was not taken by him but by the outgoing board of studies."We followed the procedure. Accordingly, the proposal was placed before the board of studies, which unanimously resolved to withdraw it," said Welukar. "I briefed the governor and Chavan on the decision that was made, and submitted a comprehensive report on the matter. I got the impression that they were satisfied with my report."
According to Welukar, 'Such A Long Journey' was introduced in the SYBA curriculum without following the procedure laid down under the Mumbai University rules. "As per the prescribed procedure, it was the responsibility of the syllabus committee to study the novel and then recommend it. It has now come to light, however, that the syllabus committee never recommended the book, and the decision was taken directly by the board of studies," said Welukar.
The novel was introduced in the SYBA English literature curriculum in 2007-08. On September 15, Welukar convened a special meeting of the board of studies where it was decided to withdraw the book from the syllabus after Shiv Sena youth leader Aditya Thackeray took umbrage over the way his party had been described by one of the characters.
Welukar's decision has been criticized by college faculty members, heads of academic department and principals.