Asif Iqbal Naik
Early Times Report.
SRINAGAR, June 26: BJP MLA moved an amendment in the Legislative Assembly for changing the name of the Kashmir-Jammu Cluster University Bill which was readily accepted by the government and amendment to this effect replacing 'Kashmir' with "Srinagar', moved by Minister for Education was passed by voice vote.
Speaking on the issue BJP MLA remarked that naming the said Bill as 'Kashmir-Jammu Cluster University Bill ' seems like changing the name of the state from Jammu-Kashmir to Kashmir-Jammu.
He further opposed the government move for making Chief Minister as chancellor and Education Minister as pro-chancellor of these universities added that Universities should be autonomous institutions with no political involvement. He called for preserving the autonomy and independence of this proposed University added that since ancient times immemorial institutes of higher learning have been kept independent from state intervention. He quoted examples from Gurukul's (Institutions of learning) where wards of kings and common men were treated equally and even kings were not allowed to enter the Gurukul nor interfere in functioning of these institutes.
He further quoted from Kothari Commission and charter of Indian Association of Universities which call for preserving the autonomy and independence of these seats of higher learning free from State intervention. He also referred to Indian freedom movement, quotes of Mahatama Gandhi, Abul Kalam Azad, A R Kidwai and debates of constituent assembly where focus was laid on keeping educational institutions out of state control. He further quoted K M Panicker, a noted historian and vice chancellor of Kashmir university denied to join an event keeping up high standards and ethics, organized by then PM Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad as K M Panicker thought that going to this event will send wrong signals and dilute the autonomy and independence of the institute
Concluding his speech he said that he leaves it to the collective conscience of the Members and Minister present in the house to decide the extent of intervention in these proposed Cluster Universities.
MLA's stand was appreciated by legislators across party lines. Congress MLA while supporting the amendment moved by the BJP MLA quoted various incidents including the suicide of Rohit Vemula added that it is due to intervention of politics, an emerging youth like Rohit Vemula committed suicide and advocated the demand of allowing the Universities to function as an autonomous institutions.
Meanwhile, NC MLA accused BJP and RSS of pursuing an agenda of saffronizatation of the education in state; charging BJP of putting a spanner in functioning of University of Jammu added that "education is independent of any ideology."
He warned BJP to stay away from interfering in the functioning of JU.
The BJP Lawmaker, had introduced a bill asking government to make Governor as head of cluster universities of Srinagar and Jammu. However, Education Minister, while asking MLA to rethink over his bill, said, "the universities working under CM in J&K were functioning well."
"Look how phenomenally varsities under CM have grown," Minister told the house, "take the case of BGSBU, IUST or SMVDU." "It wasn't possible in Rajouri but with the personal efforts of then CM it was done."
In his comments about structure of cluster universities, Minister asserted, "Universities have really become autonomous now." "Till 2015, their finance related matters lay with government but we gave them financial autonomy."
"Now, they themselves utilize the money and they don't have to come to us for seeking it," he said, "they manage it themselves."
The Cluster Universities are being established in the state under Union government -sponsored Rashtriya Ucchtar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) to run series of additional and novel courses in the existing colleges, with one of the colleges each in Srinagar and Jammu acting as the Lead College.
The move, state government believes, shall go a long way in expanding access to higher education by increasing the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in the State.
According to the proposal formulated by the Higher Education Department in this regard, the Cluster University in Jammu will comprise GGM Science College, Government MAM College, SPMR College of Commerce, Government College for Women Gandhi Nagar and Government College of Education Canal Road.
Similarly, the Cluster University in Srinagar will comprise Amar Singh College Srinagar, SP College Srinagar, Women's College MA Road Srinagar, Government Degree College Bemina and the College of Education, Srinagar. |
