A group of Delhi University lecturers is allegedly raising funds for their suspended colleague Syed Abdul Rehman Gilani, the professor of Arabic accused of links with the terrorists who stormed Parliament House in New Delhi on December 13.
Reliable sources reveal that this group is against Gilani’s suspension for his complicity in the terrorist attack on Parliament is yet to be proved beyond doubt.
When this reporter contacted one the lecturers supposedly behind the Gilani fund, Tripta Wahi, reader, Hindu College, she denied her role in any fund-raising activity. She, however, expressed her willingness to come forward to help anyone who assumes the responsibility of raising money for Gilani.
"Gilani is alleged to be involved in the Parliament attack, but these charges have not been proved yet. My sympathies are with Gilani’s family. I don’ t know where his family members are, but they must be shattered by the turn of events. It’s our responsibility to come forward and help him".
Her colleagues disclosed that at the time of the Kargil war, Ms Wahi had refused to donate money for the soldiers killed or maimed in the conflict. "Why do we need to pay them? These soldiers are paid to die," Ms Wahi had allegedly remarked.
Many DU lecturers plead ignorance about the Gilani fund. They feel that if any such thing is actually afoot, it should be nipped in the bud. In fact, the DU executive council, at its recent meeting, endorsed Gilani’s suspension unanimously and grilled the Vice-Chancellor for the delay in taking action against the erring lecturer.
Says Vajendra Sharma, an elected member of the executive council, "I have no idea about fund-raising by any group but if some lecturers are really interested, there are several DU karmacharis who are in need of help. What’s special about Gilani’s family?"
Says a legal expert R N Vatsa, "Extending
help in any form to a person accused of an anti-national act can also be
construed as a crime. Any person involved in such an activity is liable
to be punished."