New Delhi, Jan. 5: Delhi University teachers and students today protested against the varsity's decision to allow an organisation founded by late VHP chief Ashok Singhal to hold a seminar on Ram Janmabhoomi on the campus.

The seminar, titled Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple: Emerging Scenario, is to be held on January 9 and 10.

Eleven organisations of the university's teachers and students demanded that the permission for the seminar be withdrawn. They said in a statement today that the seminar could not be considered academic activity as no department of the varsity was conducting it. It would be organised by an outfit that had a "clear design and preconceived ideas about the outcome of such an exercise".

The Arundhati Vashishtha Anusandhan Peeth (AVAP), which is organising the seminar, wants "Ram Rajya" to be "restored" in the country.

The statement alleged that by organising the seminar at a premier central university, the RSS-VHP combine intended to polarise youths and create a divisive atmosphere.

"Universities are supposed to be institutions that bring young people from all backgrounds, including all faiths, together in the common endeavour of the pursuit of knowledge. Universities should be spaces for secular education," the statement said.

Calling for "permission for the conduct of this programme be withdrawn forthwith", the protesting students and teachers said: "We also call upon the university community and citizens to resist the attempts by the RSS-VHP to spread communal disharmony through such programmes."

AVAP convener Chandra Prakash Singh said the organisation planned to hold a "fact-based debate" on "nationalistic issues like the Ram temple".

"There should not be any opposition to it.... Why should anybody be scared of discussing issues? Academic institutions are meant for holding debates and discussion," he said, adding the AVAP was now headed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy.

Rudrashis Chakraborty, a member of the Delhi University Academic Council, alleged that the varsity administration was always hesitant to permit the teachers' association to organise seminars but had allowed the AVAP event to please the BJP-led government.

Vice-chancellor Sudhish Pachauri was not available for comment.