Xavier's Principal under fire for note against 'Gujarat Model'

Mumbai: The principal of St Xavier's College here has courted a controversy after sending an advisory to his students which is critical of Narendra Modi's 'Gujarat Model' of development.Father Frazer Mascarenhas, however, defended his action, saying his note was not against any specific individual or party. The note, which drew mixed reactions, also praises the flagship schemes of Congress-led UPA Government.Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls in Mumbai tomorrow, the note advises students not to support leaders who are a threat to secular fabric of India. "The prospect of an alliance of corporate capital and communal forces coming to power constitutes a real threat to the future of our secular democracy," it said.It acknowledges Congress's Food Security and Rojgar Yojana schemes. Efforts like the Rojgar Yojana and the Food Security Act have been called "election sops", it said adding "some of our best social scientists like Amartya Sen and Jean Dreze have supported these as necessary in the emergency economic situation the country and the world is facing."As a row erupted over his remarks and its timing and with BJP demanding its withdrawal. Father Mascarenhas said, "I have not mentioned any particular individual or organisation in my communication. It was intended only to serve as a broad understanding before students exercised their right to vote.""There's nothing more to the letter," he told PTI.Meanwhile, when asked why he had sent out such a mail during elections, he told a newspaper, "I have given some considerations for evaluating the (Gujarat) model and also talked about other models, like the Congress government. I am trying to be as impartial as possible; it is my responsibility to encourage my students to vote."The 'Gujarat Model' is being discussed in every media as a successful model and I am throwing light on what I think, which also needs to be looked at," he said.Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar said his party had lodged a complaint with the Election Commission, objecting to the principal's remarks, observing it was a violation of the model code of conduct."The college is a government-funded institute and the principal of this institute is a government-funded position. This activity in his capacity as principal is an attempt to influence voters and is a clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct," Shelar said in the letter to the Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra."He did not contact BJP to get our side of the view," he said."We demand immediate withdrawal of the statement, immediate investigation and appropriate action for violation of poll Model Code," he said.Father Mascarenhas, however, got the backing of leaders of Congress, NCP and the National Conference who said he is free to express his views."He (Father) has every right under the Constitution to express his views," Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said."If religious leaders, yoga teachers, media personalities and business tycoons can express an opinion why not college principals," asked Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and NC leader Omar Abdullah."In the world's biggest democracy, every citizen has been given a right to express his opinion. Those opposing his note are anti-democratic," state NCP's working president Jitendra Awhad said here."The BJP's reaction to the principal's note shows that the party and its workers are out to finish those who oppose them," he said.Author Chetan Bhagat also waded into the row and tweeted, "I think people have the right to give their political views, even the Xavier's principal. However, students can think for themselves."At a news conference in Delhi, BJP Spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman said, "If it is the democratic right of an individual, then there is no question at all. But here is someone who is writing as the head of an institution, particularly an educational institution, then normally the institution does not play politics."She said, "If the principal indeed was interested in discussing the models of growth, comparing A state with B state, then certainly as part of economics he is welcome to do so. But he doesn't sit on judgement as to which is preferable and which is not."