SRINAGAR: Even though newspaper ads continue to felicitate civil servant Farooq Renzu over the “selection of his Urdu novel as a syllabus for research” in Central University Hyderabad, doubts have arisen over the veracity of the claim.
Has former Information director used the name of the CU for publicity after claiming that his work of fiction “Zakhmon Ki Saalgirah” has been selected as a syllabus novel for MPhil degree for research by scholars of the varsity? While the author has dismissed the doubts, the university officials seem angry.
A report by local news agency CNS has quoted the head of the Urdu department of CU, Hyderabad, Professor Ehsas Baig saying that “no book of Renzushah has been prescribed”.
The report stated that the administration of the University have threatened to move court against Srinagar Development Authority vice-chairman Farooq Renzu for “using varsity’s name to gain publicity”.
The news agency further quoted a statement issued by the PRO of CU Hyderabad, seeking a public apology for “such acts”.
“With reference to press release in circulation, that Central University of Hyderabad has prescribed a book of some Kashmiri author Renzu Shah in the syllabus, no such book is prescribed in M.Phil,” the report quoted the statement. It further stated that the claim was malicious and misleading. “The act of some publicity hungry person circulating the mail and using the name of University of Hyderabad is most disparaging in intent,” it read.
On December 08, news paper offices were mailed a press release showering accolades on Renzu. “In a significant and landmark development, , the literary novel of renowned Kashmiri author Khwaja Renzushah’s novel “Zakhmon Ki Saalgirah” has been selected by Hyderabad Central University (CU) as a syllabus novel for MPhil degree for research by scholars,” the press statement on behalf of Renzu had boasted.
The spokesman of the varsity, however, maintained that the selection of research topic was the prerogative of the candidate. “The University has no role in it. Only methodology and procedure is laid down by the University. The University is still looking at the issue and will inquire, if the scholar on his own has chosen the book,” the varsity’s spokesman was quoted by CNS.
However, Renzu while talking to fpk tried to play down the issue. “What we meant was that the novel has been chosen by a candidate for his MPhil research. The ‘research syllabus’ means something which will be subject of research,” he said.
