For Rhyme And Reason: Poet, And V-C Of Mumbai University Summoned Over Controversial Marathi Poem In Syllabus

After including Dinkar Manwar’s poem Pani Kasa Asta (Nature of Water) as a part of the curriculum, the Maharashtra Commission for Women has issued a notice to both, the poet and Mumbai University for its inclusion. This decision comes after several organisations wrote to the body asking them to withdraw the poem from the syllabus.

The MCW, by sending the notice to the university, has asked the vice-chancellor to be present for a hearing before the commission. The poem was included as part of the syllabus for the third-year Arts students in the university. But after witnessing several protests, the poem was dropped.

The Indian Express quoted Vijaya Rahatkar, Chairperson of MCW, as saying, “We have been receiving letter after letter to take cognisance of this matter. If the university has indeed dropped the poem from its curriculum, the same should be conveyed to the commission. The poet has also been directed to present himself for a hearing.”

The protests were organised because several groups alleged that the poem made a reference to the breasts of a tribal girl. Right outside Education Minister Vinod Tawde’s residence, a protest was organised by members of Shramjeevi Sanghatana. Copies of the poem were burned at the university campus.