Pune varsity postpones meet of historians' body; draws flak

A key meeting of the Indian History Congress (IHC), slated to be hosted by the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) from December 28, has been put off and not cancelled, the varsity said Thursday even as the historians' body dubbed the decision as "unilateral".

The 79th session of the IHC, a professional body of historians, was to be held at the SPPU from December 28-30.

As the issue created a row, the SPPU this evening issued a statement, saying the three-day event has not been cancelled but only postponed.

"We have given them proposal to hold the event in February, March or May next year," said Radhika Sadhan, Professor, Department of History, SPPU, in the statement.

Another varsity official said the decision to postpone the conference was taken due to the shortage of funds and non- availability of adequate accommodation facilities for the delegates.

A brief note posted on the varsity's website Wednesday said, "The scheduled 79th session of the Indian History Congress, December 28-30, 2018, at Savitribai Phule Pune University, is postponed until further notice."