The charge by RSS mouthpiece, Organiser, that IITs had become playgrounds for anti-India and anti-Hindu activities is nothing but an attempt to put all premier educational institutes on the defensive. Unable to control them or force its ideology down the throats of others, the RSS has resorted to attacks on leading personalities who stood up against bullying tactics.While every organisation or person has the right to express one's views, which means the RSS also has a right to publish its point of view, it is the tactic of the RSS to equate any view opposite to it's own as anti-Indian and anti-Hindu that worries. A debate on whether Gajendra Chauhan is the right person to head the FTII or the issues raised by Anil Kakodkar regarding appointment of IIT director is essential, but personal attacks on those who choose to speak out does not help the process. Premier institutions need to be headed by competent people, irrespective of ideology and this alone must guide those in a position to make such appointments. Serving non-vegetarian food at IIT Roorkee or not allowing a puja to be held in the community hall of NIT Rourkela are side issues that must not be used to obfuscate the main issue.
