The Hindu : New Delhi News : Minorities panel backs Thampu

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Sunday, May 04, 2008
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Minorities panel backs Thampu

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Minorities Commission has come out in support of the former Principal of Delhi University’s St. Stephen’s College, Valson Thampu, with regard to “genuineness” of his Ph.D. and his advocacy of minority rights.

“The Commission notes with pride and happiness the vindication of Dr. Valson Thampu’s principled stand and bold leadership in St. Stephen’s College. The struggle that he has undertaken over the last one year to defend the minority rights of this prestigious institution and the huge personal cost he has paid for it is truly commendable,” said Commission chairman Kamal Faruqui in a statement.

The attempts of various “vested interests to interfere” with the life and administration of the college and to “make it impossible” for Dr. Thampu to serve the institution now stood exposed, he added.

Happy that “the shadow of suspicion cast on the genuineness of his Ph.D. had been totally shifted”, the Commission said it was alarming that an “exalted office in the University Grants Commission was misused to cause extreme embarrassment to a distinguished academician and a leader of the minority community”.

“At a time when minority rights are increasingly coming under attack, it is important that vigilance is exercised in protecting and giving effect to these rights,” said Mr. Faruqui.

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