MiD DAY talks to gay literary activist and English Prof R Raj Rao on being ignored for dept head post at varsity

Higher-ups at the University of Pune have their hands full as a controversy rages over the appointment of a former Marathi department professor as the head of the English department. Those who feel left out because of the decision have also lashed out at the selection process.

Gay literary activist Professor R Raj Rao, who has been teaching English at the university for 22 years, said he was hurt and upset over the appointment as he felt unjustly sidelined.

These days the university is abuzz with talk that Raj Rao was deliberately overlooked because of his outspoken support of the gay community, but university officials rubbished the suggestion.

"The two senior professors, Korde and Raj Rao, don't get along with each other. If we make any one of them the head, the other won't listen to him and that's why we appointed an outsider," said V N Gade, director, Board of College and University Development.

As the issue hots up, what with gay activists throwing their weight behind Raj Rao and the university getting defensive, MiD DAY gets talking to the professor to know exactly what he feels.