The decision by Hemantkumar Shah to step down as executive principal of HK Arts College is shameful for freedom of speech and democracy, said Vadgam MLA Jignesh Mevani. On the other hand student leaders associated with BJP said that college professors and students were against the presence of Mevani and so trustees had refused the hall for annual function. "HK Arts College with prominent trustees like BV Doshi, R (Raghuveer) Chaudhary, and K (Kumarpal) Desai are not standing up against hooliganism of BJP and its student wing. This is a shameful day for freedom of speech and democracy. Strongly condemn the move," Mevani said in a tweet. However, Vanrajsingh Chavda, former member of Senate in Gujarat University, who was vociferous in the Opposition to Mevani being invited as a chief guest, alleged that the decision to invite Mevani as the chief guest was not unanimous. "Most of professors and students are opposed to Mevani being invited and that majority of stakeholders are supporting him. Mevani is supporting JNU leaders like Kanhaiya Kumar. I am an alumni of HK Arts College. We do not want this college to become another JNU," said Chavda. Chavda also said that it is only if the trustees had not found merit in opposition to Mevani's presence, then only they would have denied the hall for the event. However, Shah said that as a principal, he is not required to take opinions of professors in inviting the chief guest. "Never have principals sought opinion from professors. It was only when the trustees had denied us the hall, most professors said that the decision of the trustees should be respected. They were not against inviting Jignesh," said Shah. DNA tried to reach out to trustees, but Choudhary was not able to answer because of his ill health, said his family members while Doshi and Desai did not respond to the phone calls. Manish Doshi, spokesman of Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) said that BJP is indulging in pressure tactics, not allowing a platform to persons with diverse opinions. "BJP is playing politics of fear and illusion. This is dangerous for education sector. As an alumni and an elected representative, it is perfectly alright that Jignesh gets invited. However, the tactic to deploy fear and pressure by BJP is unfortunate," said Doshi. WAR OF WORDS Vadgam MLA condemns it by saying that this is an attack on freedom of speech and democracy. Congress terms it as a blatant use of terror and pressure. On the other hand student leaders associated with BJP said that college professors and students were against the presence of Mevani, a supporter of Kanhaiya Kumar of JNU and so trustees had refused the hall for annual function. Shah denies allegations, says principal free to decide on the chief guest

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