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| Cabinet puts Central University at Center of Confusion | | India got 20 CUs in 60 years; reluctant on ‘regional call’ J&K asks for second in a year | | ZAFAR CHOUDHARY
Srinagar/Jammu, July 31: The issue revolving around establishment of Central University was further complicated today with the state Cabinet deciding to approach the Government of India for establishment of two such institutions of higher learning –one of Jammu and another for Kashmir.
Even though the Cabinet appears to have taken its decision with certain amount sincerity, but it caused ample doubts if Jammu region could get the Central University, at all. Instead of clearing the air about location of Central University, which was initially decided at Samba, the state Cabinet has further confused the issue by seeking to go for balancing act to ask the Center for two Central Universities.
It may be mentioned here that Central Universities are the most prestigious institutions of higher learning set up after years of decision making process at the highest for a. So far there are only 20 Central Universities in country –including Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi University, Aligarh Muslim University and Benaras Hindu University. Upon recommendations of the National Knowledge Commission, the Government of India had last year approved creation of 15 more Central Universities -12 new in as many states and three State Universities were upgraded.
Most of the newly approved Central Universities are expected to get functional by next year. If India could get only 20 Central Universities in 60 years, it is unlikely that the Government of India agrees to demand of Jammu and Kashmir for creating one more Central University just for the reason that the state government government is not able to take a courageous decision of establishing a courageous decision of establishing a University where it was actually meant for.
Though the Cabinet, in its today’s meeting under chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, resolved to approach the Center but on the issue of setting up of the Central University, there were deep divisions within the Omar Abdullah ministry, it is leant. In the Cabinet meeting the ministers from the Jammu region made it clear that the university should first be set up in Jammu only.
Of course, if and when the Central Government agrees to sanction another Central university for the state, it can be set up in the Kashmir Valley, they asserted. At least four Cabinet ministers are scheduled to visit New Delhi to press the demand for additional Central University for the state. The ministers from the Jammu region have reportedly made it clear to the CM that they don’t want an agitation on their hands on this issue.
Meanwhile, the protests and demonstrations launched by the students and supported by various other organizations continued unabated in Jammu and adjoining areas. In today’s protest the students from Government Women College, Gandhi Nagar, MAM College and GGM Science College and SPMR Commerce College took out a peaceful march via Tawi Bridge and joined other student groups at Bikram Chowk to protest against the high jacking of Central University from Jammu to Valley under a planned strategy by establishing a campus office in Kashmir and appointing a Vice Chancellor too.
The students who had earlier boycotted their classes and marched up to the Bikram
Chowk blocked the traffic on the ever busy Tawi Bridge and other connecting arterials i.e. University road and NH1A at Asia Crossing. Agitating students daring the sweltering sun sat on Dhrana and gave a tough time to the police contingent which was perhaps asked to remain constrained.
During this hours long dharna in the sunny day of humid days made two girl students of Government Women College fell faint due to harsh weather conditions, however they were evacuated immediately to the Government Medical College and Hospital by the Police. ,
It is to mention it was fourth consecutive day till the students have come to the streets against the state government’s decision of establishing a campus of Central University in Kashmir instead of the pre decided location in Samba. Earlier the things were taken lightly by the students and other pro Jammu organizations but since the government has appointed Prof Abdul Wahid as Vice Chancellor and advertised the post for the Central University Campus in Kashmir the things took turn and students have taken to the streets against this decision.
Meantime the statement from NC leaders like one from Ajay Sadhotra saying the Union Government has not decided the location and some vested elements are trying to encash the Jammu sentiments worked as fuel in the fire. Earlier sensing the danger signs for Congress in Jammu PCC(I) chief also advocated the two CU campus theory but never said any thing about the setting up of an IIM or NIT in Jammu which also ignite the emotions in Jammu.
During this struggle once again cutting across the party lines, the Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), particularly Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and National
Panthers Party (NPP) staged dharna in and outside the Legislative Assembly since the commencement of the session from July 27, demanding reopening of the CU at Jammu as decided earlier.
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