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Do not shut down nine universities: BJP appeals to K'taka Guv

IANS March 3, 2025 267 views

The Karnataka BJP has mounted a significant challenge to the state government's plan to shut down nine universities established during their previous tenure. Opposition leaders like R. Ashoka and C.N. Ashwath Narayan are passionately arguing that closing these institutions will severely impact students, particularly those from rural and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. They've submitted a formal memorandum to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, emphasizing the move as unscientific and unconstitutional. The BJP is highlighting the government's budget contradictions, pointing out that while presenting a Rs 4 lakh crore budget, they're unwilling to allocate funds for critical educational infrastructure.

"Shutting down universities forces students to migrate to neighbouring states for higher education" - R. Ashoka, Leader of Opposition
Bengaluru, March 3: A Karnataka BJP delegation submitted a memorandum to the Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Monday, opposing the decision to shut down nine universities in the state established during the tenure of the previous BJP government.

Key Points

1

BJP opposes closure of nine state universities

2

Delegation highlights negative educational consequences

3

Criticizes Congress government's budget priorities

4

Warns about impact on rural students

The delegation included MLCs N. Ravikumar, Shashil Namoshi, Hanumant Nirani, and D.S. Arun, along with C.B. Shashidhar, the State Convenor of the BJP Education Cell, and State Co-Convenors M.G. Bhat, Harish K., Raghavendra, and Ashwini Shankar.

They emphasised that the decision to close these nine universities is not only unscientific and unconstitutional but also unjust. The delegation highlighted the severe negative consequences this move would have.

The memorandum urged the state government to immediately withdraw its decision and take appropriate measures to protect the future of lakhs of rural and economically disadvantaged students.

Karnataka Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka on Saturday criticised the state government, saying that the government should shut bars and not the universities.

"Shutting down universities forces students to migrate to neighbouring states for higher education. The state government should shut down the bars and not the universities in the state. The Congress government has been systematically shutting down universities, similar to how they discontinued various schemes such as Kisan Samman and Vidyanidhi," said the LoP while addressing a joint press conference at Vidhana Soudha.

He added that the government is presenting a Rs 4 lakh crore budget but also claimed they cannot allocate even Rs 342 crore for universities.

"If they cannot afford this amount, why even present a budget? They won't close 3,000 bars, but they are shutting down universities," he said.

Former Deputy Chief Minister C.N. Ashwath Narayan said that the closure of eight universities would be a setback to progress.

He accused the Congress of causing regression in all sectors and harming the educational aspirations of the youth.

He pointed out that during the BJP government's tenure, universities were established without creating new posts but by reallocating existing ones.

He cited 2021 enrollment statistics, stating that the average college enrollment rate in Karnataka was 33 per cent, while it was only 10 per cent in Chamarajanagar, 15 per cent in Mandya, and 16 per cent in Bagalkot.

He warned that this move would deprive youth of education. He stressed that universities should not be seen as revenue-generating shops but as institutions that provide education, which is the government's responsibility.

Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, stated that B.R. Ambedkar prioritised education and the Congress government should do the same instead of merely providing free rice.

He criticised the state government for presenting a Rs 4 lakh crore budget while refusing to allocate even Rs 350 crore for education.

The decision in this regard was taken in the Cabinet subcommittee meeting headed by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on February 13.

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