By EMN
DIMAPUR — The International University Dimapur (IUD), has denied any association with Hindutva ideology following criticism from the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) regarding the naming of its central library after Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, the founder of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
In a rejoinder issued on Thursday, the IUD’s Pro Chancellor Dr. Utkarsh Sharma reiterated that the university does not promote any particular religion but actively supports interfaith dialogue, citing the extensive scholarly work of founder Chancellor Dr. Priyaranjan Trivedi, who has authored a 10-volume encyclopaedia of interfaith studies.
He also noted Dr. Trivedi’s prior establishment of the Indira Gandhi Technological and Medical Sciences University in Arunachal Pradesh, underscoring his respect for Indira Gandhi. The naming of the central library after Dr. Hedgewar, a scholar, was purely academic and devoid of any religious or ideological motive, he stated.
“The university further plans to name various departments and academic blocks in honour of great freedom fighters from Nagaland. In line with its commitment to regional scholarship and cultural inclusivity, the university is in the process of developing a comprehensive 20-volume encyclopaedia of Christianity in Nagaland,” read the rejoinder.
The pro chancellor further stated that in its two decades of operation, the university has never promoted Hinduism. “Its focus has remained on fostering entrepreneurship among its graduates, who have successfully ventured into business and contributed to the corporate sector through their managerial skills,” it stated.
According to Dr. Sharma, the university’s central library houses over 75,000 books—making it the largest in Nagaland. “For comparison, the Nagaland State Library holds around 58,000 books, while the Nagaland University central library maintains a collection of 44,543 books,” it added.
This story was originally published in easternmirrornagaland.com.
