Should IIC host a lecture of Romila Thapar who falsified history? Prof Daksh Lohiya asks

The brief description of Romila Thapar's talk itself is designed to stoke controversy

The brief description of Romila Thapar's talk itself is designed to stoke controversy
The brief description of Romila Thapar's talk itself is designed to stoke controversy

Prof. Romila Thapar, whose views and narrative on Indian History have been designed to falsely undermine our culture and true history

Dear Programme Officer in Charge,

With deep anguish and concern, I write to you about the Dr. C. D. Deshmukh Memorial lecture planned for 14.01.2023.

The India International Center has seemingly steered clear of any controversial issues. This has been particularly manifest in the past C. D. Deshmukh lectures.

Has there been a decision to depart from the settled Policy?

In July 2021, I had placed a request to the Center to host a colloquium by Dr. Sandip Balakrishnan to mark the 100th anniversary of the Moplah massacre. I was politely informed by the program office that while I could hold it as a private event, the IIC would not lend its name to the talk as the issue stoked controversy. I am now surprised that Prof. Romila Thapar, whose views and narrative on Indian History have been designed to falsely undermine our culture and true history (to say the least), would be giving the C. D. Deshmukh Memorial Lecture. The brief description of her talk itself is designed to stoke controversy. With her giving a talk where the moderator would restrict questions, rather than engaging in a debate with numerous Historians who have abundantly established that her views are extremely biased and incorrect, would be a fait accomplii by all her supporters. The event would be more akin to a political narrative rather than a healthy debate or narration.

I, therefore, appeal to your offices to rethink and not allow the center to be used in a manner that may hurt the feelings of a civilization that is already severely wounded and is struggling to recover and embrace the true narrative that has been denied to it.

With sincere regards,
Prof. Daksh Lohiya

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5 COMMENTS

  1. I listened to the lecture on Youtube. I did not find the lecture objectionable. It reported some historical facts and opinions. While one can question the selection of facts in any lecture and challenge the opinions with other facts, that is the nature of the debate.

    I do not know what caused the IIC to turn down the offer of a colloquium by Dr Balakrishnan, but then any self governing body has the freedom to choose what they want. And it would be nice if Dr Balakrishnan’s first name was rendered as he does himself. Sandeep, not Sandip.

  2. The true history of the BJP rule will also come to light soon.

    From the Congress misrule to the awful BJP rule will see light of day.

    • I listened to the lecture on Youtube. I did not find the lecture objectionable. It reported some historical facts and opinions. While one can question the selection of facts in any lecture and challenge the opinions with other facts, that is the nature of the debate.

      I do not know what caused the IIC to turn down the offer of a colloquium by Dr Balakrishnan, but then any self governing body has the freedom to choose what they want. And it would be nice if Dr Balakrishnan’s first name was rendered as he does himself. Sandeep, not Sandip.

  3. Historians are not born with the knowledge of what has happened in the past, they study the old literature and records to gain that knowledge and interpret it as they understand it with or without biases which is very obvious. Let us face it nobody is independent in this world.

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