My heart bleeds when Ramjas bleeds, want peace, says principal

A day ahead of his retirement, Ramjas College principal Rajendra Prasad on Monday expressed pain over the violence that swamped the college last week and urged students to adopt peaceful means to deal with any conflict of ideas.

Calling last Wednesday's incident when clashes erupted in the college between two groups as unfortunate, Prasad said the college would do its best to ensure normalcy and safety and security "of all our people".

"Please stay calm and let no one take away your right to study," Prasad said.

Clashes erupted between activists of the left-wing All India Students Association (AISA) and the RSS' student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) outside Ramjas College on Wednesday, after the ABVP forced suspension of an event to be addressed by JNU student Umar Khalid.

Khalid was jailed last year on sedition charges for allegedly shouting anti-national slogans.

In an emotional appeal to the students, the Ramjas Principal said: "My heart bleeds when Ramjas bleeds because I have put in 32 years of blood, sweat and tears to bring Ramjas to its present stature."

"Tomorrow I retire. I wish for nothing in return except that Ramjas remains peaceful, and committed to the glorious future it is destined to set for itself."

Prasad said the college administration remained "completely committed" to take Ramjas to the "highest glory possible".

"We all must uphold and promote a conducive and peaceful atmosphere by restraining from any form of confrontation and strive towards excellent academic atmosphere which this college is known for."

"Let us resolve our problems in a respectful, peaceful and constructive manner and protect and preserve the educational environment of our great institution," he added.

His appeal came as the ABVP took out a 'Tiranga Rally' in Delhi University North Campus.