{
  "id": 16377659,
  "title": "Mumbai: Asiatic Society Moves To Remove Bhalchandra Mungekar As Chairman Over Vande Mataram Walkout",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/mumbai-asiatic-society-moves-to-remove-bhalchandra-mungekar-as",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-24T21:31:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-asiatic-society-moves-to-remove-bhalchandra-mungekar-as-chairman-over-vande-mataram-walkout"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mumbai, October 24, 2026: The Asiatic Society's management committee has decided to remove Bhalchandra Mungekar as Chairman of the Board of Trustees following his walkout during the singing of Vande Mataram at the Society's September 26 Annual General Meeting. The committee passed a resolution condemning Mungekar for his action and intends to inform the Society's Board of Trustees and general members about the decision. A committee member stated that Mungekar is likely to be sacked as chairman at the Special General Meeting, but if he apologizes for his behavior, he may be spared. Despite the potential dismissal, Mungekar, a former Vice Chancellor of Mumbai University, will still retain his membership in the Society. The Asiatic Society's President, Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, described Mungekar's walkout as \"unfortunate\" and urged him to reflect on his actions, questioning why previous governments curtailed the national song.",
  "summary": "Mumbai, October 24, 2026: The Asiatic Society’s management committee has moved to sack Bhalchandra Mungekar as Chairman of the Board of Trustees over an ‘insult’ to Vande Mataram. At its meeting on Wednesday, the committee passed a resolution condemning the former Rajya Sabha member for walking out while Vande Mataram was being sung on September 26. The committee has now sent the resolution to…",
  "key_points": [
    "Asiatic Society removes Bhalchandra Mungekar as Chairman",
    "Mungekar walked out during Vande Mataram singing",
    "Mungekar to retain membership despite potential dismissal"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}