AAP MP seeks Centre’s intervention into mess at Punjabi University

 Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 24

In the wake of the ongoing crisis at Punjabi University, Patiala,  MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today urged Human Resource and Development Minister Smriti Irani to intervene and direct the Punjab Government to provide its share of funds to the institute.

In a letter to the minister, he also sought financial aid from the central government and the Union Grants Commission (UGC) in view of the special status of the varsity being the country’s only language university and second in the world along with Hebrew University in Israel.

“The university started with the aim to preserve, enrich and enhance the Punjabi language, culture, literature, heritage and religion. But due to inadequate funds the university has not been uphold its prime objective,” Dr Gandhi told The Tribune. He asserted that the Centre should release contingency funds immediately.

He said like technical universities in Karnataka and Maharashtra, even the Punjabi University is facing the heat of privatisation and commercialisation of education and under its pressure the varsity is increasing intake of students every year through NRI and management quota even as the hostel, staff and other infrastructure remain to be the same. :What is worse is that while the admission fees have been hiked increasing the woes of the poor students the scholarships for M. Phil and Ph.D students are not being given by the university,” he pointed.

“The university that started on the name of language is now witnessing students’ agitation and harassment faced by them due to the police high-handedness. We demand strict action against the erring officials. Students are raising genuine issues,” Dr Gandhi said.