Dear List,

it might be of some relevance to the community of Indologists that among the prominent signatories of the Pollock removal petition Prof. V. Kutumba Sastry ranks fifth on top of the list:

https://www.change.org/p/mr-n-r-narayana-murthy-and-mr-rohan-narayan-murty-removal-of-prof-sheldon-pollock-as-mentor-and-chief-editor-of-murty-classical-library

That Prof. Kutumba Sastry signed this petition in his capacity of the „President, International Association of Sanskrit Studies” (IASS), has meanwhile attracted the attention of also the media, who specifically single out his name and function:

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/murty-library-editor-petition-wants-us-scholar-removed-cites-jnu-remarks/

http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2016/03/01/sheldon-pollock-murty-lib_n_9345928.html

In terms of Indological research, it is perhaps of no little significance that the President of the IASS - a leading organization carrying “International” as part of their name and arranging the "World Sanskrit Conference" on a regular basis - publicly supports the text of the debated petition in full and demands, among others, “Make in India” ethics and “Swadeshi Indology” in contexts of research and academic publications guidelines. Trying to be “international” and “swadeshi” at the same time clearly equals a contradiction in terms.

The IASS ought to state their position in this matter by clarifying if, in promoting nationalist ideas of Indological research, their president is acting on their behalf:

http://www.sanskritassociation.org/board-members.php

Thanks and regards,

WS

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Prof. Dr. Walter Slaje
Hermann-Löns-Str. 1
D-99425 Weimar
Deutschland

Ego ex animi mei sententia spondeo ac polliceor
studia humanitatis impigro labore culturum et provecturum
non sordidi lucri causa nec ad vanam captandam gloriam,
sed quo magis veritas propagetur et lux eius, qua salus
humani generis continetur, clarius effulgeat.
Vindobonae, die XXI. mensis Novembris MCMLXXXIII.