’Rockstar’ troubling Stephen’s?

Former Stephanian and MP Sandeep Dikshit has questioned the institute authorities over the recently released film being shot inside college premises

'Rockstar' troubling Stephen's?

Former Stephanian and MP Sandeep Dikshit has questioned the institute authorities over the recently released film being shot inside college premises

Though the recently released film 'Rockstar' has rocked the city, it seems the film hasn't found favour with the alumni association formed by Lok Sabha MP and former Stephanian, Sandeep Dikshit.

Principal Valson Thampu

'Clarify'
The alumni body, Association of Stephanians, has questioned the authorities of St Stephen's College, Delhi University, for allowing 'Rockstar' to be largely shot inside college premises. In a notification to the college authorities, asking for a clarification, the association has said, "It is not known on what grounds the hallowed precincts of the college were given out for such a purely commercial, private activity of film making." However, the association has claimed that in the past, such proposals for commercial film making on the college premises were turned down as they were seen as antithetical to the college ethos and character.

'Done no wrong'
The college principal, Valson Thampu, in a straight forward response has notified the association as not being the official alumni body of the college and therefore, refusing them the right to question the moves taken by the authorities in any regard.

Commercialisation
Calling it deplorable commercialisation of the college premises, the official spokesperson of the body said, "We don't know if the governing body of the college had permitted the use of the college for shooting the film."

Not official
Meanwhile, Thampu, in the official reply to the notice, said, "High Court of Delhi had clearly instructed the office bearers of this imitating Society to carry a disclaimer to the effect that this association is not the official alumni association of the college and that they have no authorisation from the college." Adding to the issue, he said, "None of the worthies who sound aggrieved at the college generating a little sorely-needed revenue has helped the college to the tune of a rupee to this day. They seem to revel in obstructionism. I am sorely disappointed at this behaviour."

Past story
As reported in September this year, the tussle between one of India's leading educational institutions, St. Stephen's College, and a society founded by Congress MP Sandeep Dikshit, has entered the courts with the college filing a petition to stop the society from "misusing" its name.u00a0Dikshit lashed out soon after his removal from the governing body of the college and proposal to induct a sitting Delhi High Court judge, Justice Sanjay Krishan Kaul. Dikshit, however, was on board as the alumni representative to the body since October 28, 2009.