Ramdev likely to skip JNU function even as university stands by its invitation

New Delhi: Yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Monday indicated that he would skip his visit to Jawaharlal Nehru University where he was invited to deliver a keynote address even as the varsity rejected demand of a student group to withdraw the invitation.

While the protesting students termed the move to be a "silent right-wing onslaught" on JNU, the invitation to Ramdev for the address on December 30, also drew criticism from leaders of various political parties.

"Me or my office has not confirmed for any talk or event at JNU. I would have surely gone to JNU if time allowed to have candid, scientific & logical discussion, even with my ideological adversaries. I will love to talk to students & faculty at JNU, whenever its possible in near future," he said in a series of tweets.

While the varsity administration maintained that it has not heard of any denial or acceptance of the invitation from Ramdev, it clarified that it stands by the invitation.

"The invitation to Ramdev was extended due to the quality work he has done in the field of Yoga. The administration has no agenda to support any political affiliations. Students have a right to register their protest but we stand by the invite extended to him," said JNU Professor G N Jha, member of the organising committee. 

Stating that it does not befit the stature of an academic institution like JNU to have persons with such a questionable background to address an academic gathering, the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) had yesterday demanded that the varsity withdraws the invitation to the yoga guru to attend the '22nd International Congress of Vedanta' or face protests.