ABES College controversy: In recent times, there has been a noticeable shift in the perception of one’s Sanatana culture in India. Long gone are the days when embracing your cultural heritage was seen as a social crime, and even mentioning it would raise eyebrows. The sands of time have brought about a remarkable transformation in the societal landscape, and a recent incident has served as a stark reminder of this shift.
Not too long ago, merely mentioning “Jai Shri Ram” was enough to invoke disapproval, if not outright hostility. The phrase, a traditional Hindu salutation that means “Hail Lord Rama,” had become a contentious point in Indian discourse, often stoking controversy and even leading to confrontations.
Mamata Gautam, a teacher from ABES Engineering college in Ghaziabad expelled a student from stage for greeting audience with "Jai Shree Ram". The student was about to perform at the College Cultural Fest.
@ABESEC032 should explain Bharat me Jai Shree Ram nahi bolenge to kya… pic.twitter.com/kvN3NGVcQ0
— BALA (@erbmjha) October 20, 2023
But the winds of change are blowing, and they carry with them the sweet scent of freedom and self-expression. In a recent incident, a video went viral, shedding light on a disturbing event. It showcased the vilification of a student for doing something seemingly innocuous: greeting the audience with “Jai Shri Ram” during a cultural event.
This student, in an act of pride and reverence, shared the traditional greeting “Jai Shri Ram” while addressing the audience from the stage at ABES College in Ghaziabad on the 20th of October. What unfolded next was a stark reminder that not everyone has embraced the evolving dynamics of cultural acceptance.
Associate professor at ABES College Mamta Gautam, who was present at the event, reacted strongly to the student’s greeting. Instead of appreciating the student’s expression of faith, she admonished him and promptly removed him from the stage. But the matter didn’t end there. The professor went a step further, threatening legal consequences for those who dared to criticize her actions.
In a video posted just before a notable hacking incident involving the ABES College website, Mamta Gautam defended her stance and warned of potential legal repercussions for those who opposed her. She identified herself as a devout Hindu and took issue with various perceived mistakes made by the student.
However, it appears that not everyone was in agreement with her actions. In a remarkable act of protest, the ABES College website was hacked, with the hacker portraying professor Mamta Gautam as Shurpanakha, a character from the Hindu epic Ramayana, and prominently displaying “Jai Shri Ram” on the homepage. It was a symbolic response to the perceived injustice, and by the afternoon, the website was restored to its original state.
The incident at ABES College in Ghaziabad serves as a testament to the evolving nature of cultural acceptance in India. It highlights the changing attitudes of the younger generation, who are increasingly unafraid to assert their cultural heritage and express their faith. This incident may have been a disheartening reminder of the challenges still faced on the path to cultural reclamation, but it’s also a stirring testament to the resilience of those who refuse to be silenced.
Ab Victim card khel rahi hai madam 😁 pic.twitter.com/dFWelT4wQq
— DEEWAN. (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Spoof_Junkey) October 20, 2023
The journey toward the restoration of cultural pride and heritage is neither swift nor effortless, but it’s filled with promise. As students and young minds come together to remonstrate against such incidents, it becomes clear that there’s a collective determination to reclaim the right to chant “Jai Shri Ram” with pride, free from any shadow of fear or reproach. In these moments of defiance, we glimpse a future where cultural traditions are cherished, not censored, and where expressions of faith are met with understanding and respect.
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