- DIMAPUR — The
International University Dimapur (IUD), has denied any association with
Hindutva ideology following criticism from the Nagaland Pradesh Congress
Committee (NPCC) regarding the naming of its central library after Dr. Keshav
Baliram Hedgewar, the founder of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
- In a rejoinder issued on Thursday, the IUD’s Pro Chancellor
Dr. Utkarsh Sharma reiterated that the university does not promote any
particular religion but actively supports interfaith dialogue, citing the
extensive scholarly work of founder Chancellor Dr. Priyaranjan Trivedi, who has
authored a 10-volume encyclopaedia of interfaith studies.
Also read: Naga People's Front raises alarms over alleged fraud and Hindu nationalist ties at International University
- He also noted Dr. Trivedi's prior establishment of the
Indira Gandhi Technological and Medical Sciences University in Arunachal
Pradesh, underscoring his respect for Indira Gandhi. The naming of the central
library after Dr. Hedgewar, a scholar, was purely academic and devoid of any
religious or ideological motive, he stated.
- “The university further plans to name various departments
and academic blocks in honour of great freedom fighters from Nagaland. In line
with its commitment to regional scholarship and cultural inclusivity, the
university is in the process of developing a comprehensive 20-volume encyclopaedia
of Christianity in Nagaland,” read the rejoinder.
- The pro chancellor further stated that in its two decades of
operation, the university has never promoted Hinduism. “Its focus has remained
on fostering entrepreneurship among its graduates, who have successfully
ventured into business and contributed to the corporate sector through their
managerial skills,” it stated.
- According to Dr. Sharma, the university’s central library
houses over 75,000 books—making it the largest in Nagaland. “For comparison, the
Nagaland State Library holds around 58,000 books, while the Nagaland University
central library maintains a collection of 44,543 books,” it added.
