Does breaking conventional practices in paying respect to great personalities constitute disrespect? Or does the true value of respect depend on people's attitude and behavior? This question has emerged anew following the floral tribute at the bust of Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay before a program organized at Burdwan University to mark the 125th birth anniversary of distinguished linguist Sukumar Sen. On Tuesday, the Bengali Department of the university and Sahitya Akademi jointly organized a discussion circle to mark Sukumar Sen's birth anniversary.
The program, held in the conference room of the university's Bengali Department, was inaugurated by Arts Faculty Dean Parthapratim Das. As the Vice-Chancellor was not present at the university that day, he also served as Acting Vice-Chancellor. Before the program began, after placing a garland on the bust of Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay in front of the Bengali Department, all those present offered floral tributes one by one. The controversy within the university began from this tribute ceremony itself.
Also Read | Bee attack scrambles school sports meet in West Bengal, leaving multiple injured
During the flower offering, Bengali Department Head Alakkumar Chakraborty was wearing shoes. This very issue sparked discussion. According to one section, offering garlands to a great personality's bust while wearing shoes is nothing but disrespect. It was also heard that Bankimchandra was insulted through this behavior. However, Alakkumar Chakraborty refuses to accept this allegation. On Wednesday, he said over the phone, "I paid respect with flowers. I did not throw flowers in any way. Unnecessary controversy is being created about why I was wearing shoes. In my opinion, Bankimchandra is a patriot, litterateur, visionary and one of the forerunners of the 19th-century renaissance. Bankimchandra is a human being. I did not offer flowers at any deity's statue or temple that would require removing shoes. Do we remove shoes when bowing to any person?" University Bengali Department Professor Arindam Chattopadhyay has expressed a different opinion about the incident.
He said, "I saw the photograph in our department's WhatsApp group. Although I haven't verified the authenticity of the photograph. If it is true, then this incident is not supportable. This goes against our Bengali culture and tradition. I was not present in the department on Tuesday, but I cannot understand how this escaped the notice of those who were present." Bengali Department Professor Sangita Sanyal echoed the same sentiment. She said, "I saw the photograph in our department's group. If the photograph is true, then I do not support this. I was not present in the department on the day of the program. Had I been there, I would certainly have tried to point out this mistake of the department head." Two other professors of the Bengali Department, Ramen Sar and Shyamalchandra Das, expressed similar reactions.
However, another university professor, Anshuman Kar, views the matter with more restraint. He said, "In India, it is customary to remove shoes when paying respect to great personalities through garland offering. But that doesn't mean wearing shoes while offering garlands becomes disrespectful. It is sufficient if there is no sign of disrespect in the behavior of the person paying respect. Due to various physical or circumstantial difficulties, it may not be possible for many to remove shoes.
The department head had organized Tuesday's discussion meeting with great care. I did not notice any disrespect toward Bankimchandra in his behavior." According to university Bengali Department Professor and Sahitya Akademi Board Member Anindita Bandyopadhyay, "Many of us paid respect, some removing shoes, some wearing shoes. The department head paid respect from some distance without going very close to the bust. There was no fault in his respect. We did not go to any temple. Bankimchandra remains forever present in our literature and consciousness." Arts Faculty Dean Parthapratim said, "I myself offered the garland after removing shoes.
Also Read | Snowfall on Christmas? The hills are bubbling with excitement
However, I do not think at all that there was any disrespectful attitude when the department head offered the garland wearing shoes. It might have been better if he had removed shoes, but I am certain he paid respect to Bankimchandra from the depths of his heart." Bringing forward the question of external behavior versus inner feelings in paying respect to great personalities, extensive discussion is now ongoing within Burdwan University surrounding this incident.
