BJP Urges Karnataka Governor to Reconsider Closure of Nine Universities
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Synopsis
A Karnataka BJP delegation has urged Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to reconsider the closure of nine universities established by the prior BJP administration, arguing that it poses serious threats to education and future opportunities for students, particularly from rural and disadvantaged backgrounds.
Key Takeaways
- Karnataka BJP submitted a memorandum against university closures.
- The decision is deemed unscientific and unconstitutional.
- Closure affects millions of rural students.
- Opposition leaders criticize the government's priorities.
- Universities should not be seen as revenue sources.
Bengaluru, March 3 (NationPress) A delegation from the Karnataka BJP presented a memorandum to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Monday, voicing their opposition to the proposed closure of nine universities, which were established during the previous BJP administration.
The group included MLCs N. Ravikumar, Shashil Namoshi, Hanumant Nirani, and D.S. Arun, alongside C.B. Shashidhar, the State Convenor of the BJP Education Cell, and Co-Convenors M.G. Bhat, Harish K., Raghavendra, and Ashwini Shankar.
They stressed that the decision to close these nine universities is not only unscientific and unconstitutional but also profoundly unjust. The delegation brought attention to the serious negative implications this decision would entail.
The memorandum called on the state government to promptly reverse its decision and implement necessary measures to safeguard the futures of millions of rural and economically disadvantaged students.
Karnataka Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka criticized the state government on Saturday, stating that they should close bars rather than universities.
“Closing universities forces students to seek higher education in neighboring states. The government should prioritize shutting down bars instead. The Congress administration has been systematically closing universities, mirroring their discontinuation of various initiatives like Kisan Samman and Vidyanidhi,” said the LoP during a joint press conference at Vidhana Soudha.
He noted that while the government is presenting a ₹4 lakh crore budget, they claim they cannot allocate even ₹342 crore for universities.
“If they cannot manage this amount, why present a budget at all? They won’t close 3,000 bars, yet they are shutting down universities,” he remarked.
Former Deputy Chief Minister C.N. Ashwath Narayan indicated that the closure of eight universities would hinder progress.
He accused the Congress of causing regression across all sectors and undermining the educational aspirations of the youth.
He highlighted that during the BJP regime, universities were created without adding new positions, instead reallocating existing ones.
He cited 2021 enrollment statistics, reporting that the average college enrollment rate in Karnataka was 33 percent, with Chamarajanagar at only 10 percent, Mandya at 15 percent, and Bagalkot at 16 percent.
He warned that this decision would rob young people of educational opportunities. He emphasized that universities should not be treated as profit-making entities but as educational institutions, which is a government obligation.
Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, remarked that B.R. Ambedkar valued education and urged the Congress government to do the same, rather than merely providing free rice.
He condemned the government for presenting a ₹4 lakh crore budget while refusing to allocate even ₹350 crore for education.
This decision was made during a Cabinet subcommittee meeting led by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on February 13.
