In its report submitted today, the three-member committee, constituted by Governor Nawal Kishore Sharma in his capacity as the Visitor to MSU, also indicted the university administration for its dereliction of duty in preventing hooligans from disrupting an examination.

The recommendations are based on its conclusion that it was an internal examination that was disrupted on May 9, 2007, and not a public display. Though finding Chandramohan’s artwork as “offending religious sensibilities,” the report nevertheless concludes that the painting was not on public display as alleged by VHP activists who had invaded the faculty premises and misbehaved with students.

Holding MSU Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice Chancellor, and the Registrar as responsible for the failure, the report says the authorities failed to carry out their duty in not preventing the hooligans from disrupting the internal exam. Committee members were of the view that the word “obscene” could have been used had the works been part of a public display.

The committee went through various submissions, interviews, documents, and related media reports in reaching its conclusions.

Among other things, varsity’s notices, announcements and communications that clearly mention the nature of examination, have been listed as proof.

There is also an affidavit from a Delhi-based examiner, which said it was an internal exam being evaluated and not a public display.

The report also attaches a lengthy reply from the Vadodara police commissioner to the committee, in which it is clearly stated that the police entered the faculty premises after receiving a call from the varsity authorities.