‘There Are No Homosexuals In AMU’ - AMU VC

‘There Are No Homosexuals In AMU’

AMU Vice-Chancellor PK Abdul Aziz tells VAIBHAV VATS that the Siras case was an ‘aberration’ and that the media was behind the entire episode

You had said earlier that “we could not be seen as lenient and tolerate free sex”. Does the university have the right to the probe private lives of individuals?
We did not invade anyone’s private life. Prof SR Siras was asking for help after some media people had entered his house. The proctor reached his house in response to that request. The university officials and the proctor will not go to anyone’s house unless there is a request. So there is no issue — all the rest is mischievous propaganda.

What justified the use of emergency powers to suspend Professor Siras?
It is a prima facie case. Under the university rules, powers are vested with the Vice-Chancellor and he is supposed to take action.

Instead of taking action against those who conducted the sting, why did you suspend Prof Siras?
Suspension is an internal matter. If there is a case against anyone, suspension is the first level of action. There are several employees of the university, who have been suspended for a long time, as inquiry concludes its proceedings. Suspension should not be seen as punishment.

Isn’t it draconian for a university to have a local intelligence unit on campus?
It is an unfair comment. The proctor’s team is assisted by teachers who guide the 250 watch-and-ward staff as all of them are not trained for the job. It is a huge campus, and the unit helps in maintaining law and order.

In that case, how could three people enter and secretly film inside the house of Siras, a senior faculty member?
We have not prevented the media from entering the campus. We do not monitor them — they can go and talk to any faculty member or student for any purpose. The real culprits are the media — they are behind the entire episode.

In his FIR, Siras said a member of the local intelligence unit had assisted the two mediapersons in the sting.
It was never brought to my attention. The university is only concerned with the code of conduct.

What have you done to address issues of homophobia on campus? Isn’t the university supposed to be a liberal, inclusive space?
There is no question of homophobia, as there is no homosexuality on campus. What happened with Prof Siras was an aberration.

Are you saying there are no homosexuals in AMU?
That is what I believe. Every institution has its tradition and values — AMU is a sacred space. The case of Prof Siras case was an exception.

What is the university’s stand on homosexuality?
Would you accept if someone in your family were a homosexual? No one is using that word now. The governing council has to formulate a stance anyway, it is not my prerogative.

The letter informing Prof Siras that his suspension had been revoked was dated April 5. Why did it reach him on April 8, a day after his death?
That was an administrative delay. It should have been avoided. It’s all immaterial now.

From Tehelka Magazine, Vol 7, Issue 16, Dated April 24, 2010