St Xavier’s Alumni Condemn College’s Decision To Invite Aditya Thackeray For Its 150-year Celebrations
In 2010, Thackeray had threatened unrest if the book ‘Such a Long Journey’ was included in Mumbai University’s syllabus because it portrayed Shiv Sena in a bad light.
Several alumni of St Xavier’s College, Mumbai, condemned the administration’s decision to invite Shiv Sena leader Aditya Thackeray for its 150-year celebrations, which commences on October 4. Thackeray’s notable achievements include being the son of current Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and the grandson of Sena founder Bal Thackeray.
In an open letter addressed to the college principal, the alumni wrote, “We believe his presence is antithetical to the principles and values espoused by St. Xavier’s College,” and having to point this out is “in itself a cause for concern” since Thackeray’s “most notable achievement” was an act that was “openly condemned by former Principal Fr. Frazer Mascarenhas,” reported LiveWire.
In 2010, Thackeray led a protest against the inclusion of Rohinton Mistry’s Booker Prize-nominated novel Such a Long Journey, in the Mumbai University syllabus. According to Thackeray, who admitted to not having read the book, it portrayed Shiv Sena in a negative light.
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Thackeray had, in classic Shiv Sena fashion, burned copies of the book and threatened unrest if his demands were not met.
The letter also quoted a 2010 notice from principal Mascarenhas which read, “It is inconceivable that in the 21st century, a political party will not show the maturity to accept criticism and answer it by the evidence of its own actions. Is it not unreasonable, that literature is banned, merely because it dares to critique us? St. Xavier’s College regrets that this book, written by an alumnus, and widely acclaimed in the literary world, has been treated in this manner.”
To honour Thackeray as a notable alumnus is “an unfortunate reflection of the ethical standing and moral integrity of St. Xavier’s today,” the alumni letter said.
“In enabling him, you (principal) are sending out a message that literary freedom and critical thought stand no chance against political pressure tactics,” the letter added.