Haryana CM Khattar dismisses charge of politicising varsities

Chandigarh, August 23

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today intervened during the Question Hour after allegations of politicisation of university campuses were made and said that the venues were allotted by Vice-Chancellors (VCs) as per the norms.

Education Minister Kanwar Pal Gujjar submitted that two political programmes were organised by the JJP and BJP at Chaudhary Devi Lal University, Sirsa, on December 9, 2019, and July 11 this year, respectively.

Also, the Indian National Students Organisation (INSO), the student-wing of the JJP, organised a programme on August 5 this year at Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak.

He was replying to a question from Congress chief whip BB Batra on political programmes organised on the varsity campuses since September 2019 in Haryana.

Gujjar replied, “You brought a child for your protest (outside Vidhan Sabha on Friday). What kind of message you want to give? We have never done such a thing. We never invited university students for political programmes. Many a time, Rahul Gandhi has delivered lectures in the universities.”

Khattar said, “As per the varsity norms, the VC can give permission for events. The government has nothing to do with it.” — TNS