Temporary stay on notification is merely an eyewash, says former minister
Punjab Newsline, SAS Nagar-
Former Health Minister of Punjab and senior Congress leader Balbir Singh Sidhu has termed the Modi government’s temporary suspension of the notification ending Punjab’s representation in Panjab University as a mere eyewash. He said that if the Central Government truly wants to correct its mistake, it should immediately begin the process of conducting the Senate and Syndicate elections that were due last year.
In a press statement issued here today, Sidhu said that the Central Government’s ill intent to end Punjab’s representation in the management of Panjab University became clear when it failed to initiate the election process for the Senate in January last year. He said that every four years, the process of conducting Senate and Syndicate elections begins in January, as it usually takes around eight months to complete. He further added that despite repeated petitions from affiliated colleges, teachers, and student representatives, the Centre’s refusal to hold these elections has choked the democratic process within the university’s administration.
The Congress leader alleged that the BJP wants to impose its saffron ideology across the country’s educational institutions — a goal reflected in its New Education Policy. He said that by taking direct control of institutions like Panjab University, the Modi government is now attempting to introduce courses designed to replace students’ regional languages, culture, and sentiments with what he called “BJP-style nationalism.”
Sidhu assured full support to those struggling to protect the true identity and existence of Panjab University and appealed that the agitation against the Central Government should continue until the notification dissolving the Senate and Syndicate is withdrawn and the election process for these bodies is started.