The Shastra Pūjan ceremony at Rajasthan University, organised in conjunction with Vijayadashami celebrations, has become the subject of intense political debate. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was accused by Congress leaders and the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) of “politicising” the campus, indulging in violence, and misusing educational spaces for ideological ends. However, closer scrutiny reveals that these allegations are largely unfounded and politically motivated. What unfolded at the campus was not an “RSS show of force,” but a continuation of an age-old cultural and spiritual practice deeply woven into the ethos of Indian society.
The Historical and Cultural Importance of Shastra Pūjan
Shastra Pūjan, or Ayudha Pūja, dates back to ancient traditions where warriors, craftsmen, and workers worshipped their tools and weapons during Vijayadashami. In the epics, Lord Rama is believed to have worshipped his bow before the final battle against Ravana, symbolising the victory of good over evil and justice over injustice. Similarly, Goddess Durga’s triumph over Mahishasura is commemorated with the same ritual.
In pre-modern India, kings and princely states observed Shastra Pūjan with grandeur, reaffirming their duty to protect dharma and ensure justice. Over centuries, the practice has evolved beyond weapons, extending to artisans revering their tools, farmers honouring their ploughs, and students worshipping their books. Today, this inclusivity means that whether in a village workshop, a modern factory, or a university campus, Shastra Pūjan continues to represent gratitude, responsibility, and reverence for knowledge and labour.
By holding this ceremony, Rajasthan University was not introducing a political element but preserving a universal cultural tradition that transcends ideological boundaries.
Allegations by Congress and NSUI: A Critical Examination
Allegation of Politicisation
Congress leaders argued that RSS used the university campus to push its ideology. Yet, Shastra Pūjan is a widely observed cultural festival, not exclusive to any organisation. Saraswati Pūja, Ganesh Chaturthi, and Navratri functions are often celebrated in educational institutions without controversy. Singling out Shastra Pūjan, therefore, reflects selective objection and a politically motivated double standard.
Allegation of Violence by RSS Karyakartas
Reports suggest that NSUI members staged a disruptive protest against the ceremony. Far from being peaceful, the protest escalated into clashes, leading to damage of property, venue of the event and obstruction of the puja. Multiple eyewitness accounts indicate that the violence stemmed from the protest itself, not from the organisers of the cultural event. Allegations that RSS karyakartas attacked students are, therefore, misleading and omit the fact that it was the ceremony participants who were interrupted and targeted. Also, the members of the NSUI entered by the premises without taking proper permission from the concerned authorities.
Allegation of Misuse of University Space
Congress leaders contended that universities must remain apolitical. While in principle this holds weight, in practice, educational campuses across India host numerous cultural, religious, and student-driven events every year. To frame the Rajasthan University function as a misuse of space, while ignoring similar observances, demonstrates bias. The university’s role is not diminished by allowing cultural expressions that connect students to India’s civilisational identity.
Allegation of Police Bias
NSUI has accused the police of favouring RSS participants. However, the lathi-charge and detentions during the protest were responses to escalating violence, not preferential treatment. Protecting the sanctity of an ongoing ceremony against unruly protests cannot reasonably be equated with bias.
The Damage Caused by Protests
While the puja ceremony was conducted peacefully, the opposition protests disrupted proceedings and allegedly caused damage to the venue. Posters and decorations were torn down, and clashes created an atmosphere of hostility on what was meant to be a day of cultural reverence. Instead of engaging in dialogue or respecting a harmless traditional practice, the protest descended into aggression. Such actions undermine the very principles of democracy and free expression that the protesting groups claimed to uphold.
Defending Cultural Identity in Academia
Universities are not merely centres of technical knowledge; they are spaces where traditions, values, and culture are nurtured alongside academic learning. Shastra Pūjan in Rajasthan University is consistent with this larger vision of education that blends heritage with modernity. To oppose such ceremonies is to deny students the opportunity to engage with their own cultural roots. Far from being a threat to academic integrity, such events enrich campus life and remind students of the moral principles embedded in India’s history: courage, justice, and truth.
Conclusion
The controversy at Rajasthan University exemplifies how cultural practices can be misrepresented for political mileage. The NSUI and Congress, by framing a traditional puja as an RSS power play, sought to create a false narrative of polarisation. In reality, the event reflected centuries of tradition tied to Vijayadashami — celebrating the victory of truth over falsehood, justice over injustice, and good over evil. The violence and disruption came not from the ceremony itself, but from protests aimed at delegitimising it. To malign Shastra Pūjan is not just to attack one organisation, but to undermine the cultural identity of the nation. Defending the event, therefore, is not about defending RSS alone; it is about defending India’s heritage from politicisation and misrepresentation.
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