Dear Stand with Ukraine Community
I am reaching out regarding the deeply troubling statements made by University of Manitoba Professor Radhika Desai in support of president putin and the russian invasion of Ukraine.
Professor Desai recently spoke at the Valdai Discussion Club in Russia, where she praised president putin’s speech as “historically very instructive…talk” This open endorsement of an authoritarian leader actively engaged in an illegal war that has claimed thousands of innocent lives is unacceptable for a professor representing a Canadian university.
If you feel as strongly as I do that Professor Desai’s remarks cross ethical lines and damage the reputation of the U of M, please take a moment to write to the university of Manitoba President Dr. Michael Benarroch president@umanitoba.ca and ask to forward your request to the board too. Voice your concerns and demand accountability for Professor Desai’s actions. Her views do not represent the values of Canada and stand with Ukraine community.
Specifically, I suggest e-mailing the administration to condemn Professor Desai’s stance, apologize for any harm caused to the Ukrainian community, and take appropriate disciplinary action, including potential dismissal if she will not apologize. Academics have an obligation to promote human rights and ethical conduct.
Please speak up to defend decency and show support for the victims of this senseless aggression. The voices of concerned citizens can make a real difference. Now is the time for moral courage.
Thank you for considering this request. The future depends on people willing to stand up for what is right, even if it is difficult. Together, we can make an impact. For more information and the links please check the following web page: https://krasun.ca/2023/10/09/a-call-to-action-condemn-u-of-m-professor-remarks-praising-putins-speech/
With respect
Sasha Kondrashov
Social Work
U of Manitoba Alumni
Background Information and Action Plan:
Professor Radhika Desai holds the position of Professor of Political Science at the University of Manitoba https://umanitoba.ca/faculties/arts/departments/political_studies/faculty/3711.html .
During her speech at the Valdai International Discussion Club https://ru.valdaiclub.com/about/experts/3745/ , Professor Desai thanked President Putin and referred to his talk as “historically very instructive….talk.” https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2023/10/06/u-of-m-professor-prompts-putin-derision-of-former-speaker
This statement is deeply troubling, given the current situation in Ukraine, where lives continue to be lost in the ongoing russian aggression. The recent attack in the Kharkiv area, resulting in 51 deaths, serves as a stark reminder of the human toll this aggression exacts. https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukraine-war-kharkiv-hroza-attack-1.6987502
In light of these developments, there are several critical questions that demand answers:
How long will the University of Manitoba’s Political Science Department remain silent on this matter? Do they endorse or support Professor Desai’s statements, which appear to congratulate president putin despite the ongoing russian aggression in Ukraine?
Will the University of Manitoba take any action in response to this incident. Professor Desai’s statements is now being prominently mentioned in Russian media and affiliation to the University of Manitoba is given https://smotrim.ru/video/2693203
What is the stance of other departments and faculties within the University of Manitoba, such as the Department of German and Slavic Studies and the Faculty of Social Work, regarding their colleague’s statements? Does academic freedom extend to publicly justifying russian aggression?
Is Fernwood Publishing https://fernwoodpublishing.ca/authors/view/radhika-desai aware of Professor Radhika Desai’s public support for president putin? Will they continue to promote their work knowing their views on this matter and that such views results in more deaths of people of Ukraine?
How does the Ukrainian community in Winnipeg view this situation? Will they consider organizing protests or requesting Professor Desai’s resignation in light of their apparent alignment with russia’s actions?
Will the Ukrainian Canadian Congress issue a statement to condemn the representation from the University of Manitoba at the Valdai discussion club, given the potential harm such representation may cause to the Ukrainian community and the ongoing russian aggression in Ukraine? Will other representatives from stand with Ukraine communities in Winnipeg write letter to condemn Radhika Desai’s appreciation of putin’s speech?
Will CBC https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/putin-ridicules-canada-s-former-speaker-over-nazi-incident-1.6987849 intends to continue using Professor Radhika Desai as an “expert” voice, given their statements that contributes to the justification of russian aggression. The ongoing russian aggression in Ukraine is a grave matter that continues to impact the lives of many innocent people. It is crucial that we hold our institutions and individuals accountable for their actions and statements, particularly when they may have consequences on international affairs and human rights.
Sample Letter
Dear President Dr. Michael Benarroch:
I am troubled by the University of Manitoba Political Science Professor Radhika Desai’s (1) recent remarks supporting president putin during her attendance at russia’s 2023 Valdai Discussion Club. Valdai Discussion Club (Foundation) is a think tank run by the Government of russia and sanctioned by the Canadian Government for its direct involvement in promoting russian invasion of Ukraine (2). Her actions raise concerns about potentially defying Canadian law by dealing with the sanctioned institution (3). Given that president putin is under an international arrest warrant (4) and widely seen as a criminal due to russia’s violations of international law in Ukraine, Professor Desai’s public statements (5) in support of putin during her visit to russia risk associating the University of Manitoba with the internationally recognized criminal regime.
While academic freedom is important, the University of Manitoba is also ethically obligated not to be affiliated with criminality and human rights violations. Professor Desai’s travel to russia and her participation in promoting Putin’s criminal regime is highly inappropriate for a representative of your institution and highly damaging for the People of Ukraine and the world communities who stand with Ukraine, including the University of Manitoba (6).
I urge you and the Board of Governors to review whether Professor Desai’s conduct and remarks align with the university’s values and code of ethics. At this sensitive time, academics must promote human rights, not provide legitimacy to authoritarians engaged in the war of aggression. The University of Manitoba’s reputation is at stake. Please take appropriate action to address this matter. Upholding moral standards must be paramount, especially during Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
I appreciate your consideration.
With respect
Sasha Kondrashov (7)
University of Manitoba Alumni
1. https://ru.valdaiclub.com/about/experts/3745/ https://umanitoba.ca/faculties/arts/departments/political_studies/faculty/3711.html https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2023/10/06/u-of-m-professor-prompts-putin-derision-of-former-speaker
3. See Prohibitions: https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/international_relations-relations_internationales/sanctions/russia-russie.aspx?lang=eng
5. https://cdn.jwplayer.com/previews/WrgpAkAt ; https://smotrim.ru/video/2693203;
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