Amit Sharma's in The Indian Express, 4 May, 2000

Name: Dr Murli Manohar Joshi.

Qualification: Ph.D. from Allahabad University in 1958, joined the Rashtriya Swayamsevek Sangh (RSS) in 1944, arrested in 1948, joined ABVP in 1949 ...

"Dr Joshi is consistently active for the construction of a grand temple at the birth place of Sri Ram, a place of paramount significance in the context of our religious tradition and social icons of dignity, representing lofty humane and superhuman values. He also participated in the famous Cow protection movement and launched a satyagraha against Al-Kabeer, the slaughter house ....

These are some "reasons" highlighted in a citation letter from the Faculty of Science to the Academic Council of the Benaras Hindu University for nominating the Human Resources Development Minister for the honorary Doctor of Science degree ...

"This is for the first time that degree is being conferred on an active politician. This university has given honoris causa degrees to personalities like Rabindra Nath Tagore and Nelson Mandela. Where does Joshi fit in? He is a teacher who was paid a salary for 26 years without taking any classes?" asked B. Mazumdar, former president of the BHU students' union.