Reshma Ravishanker

Intensifying their opposition against the proposal to merge nine universities with parent institutions in Karnataka, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) called for a panel discussion on Friday featuring at least four former education ministers and vice-chancellors.

From seeking CSR funds to keep the universities to asking chief minister Siddaramaiah to make a dedicated allocation for higher education, experts proposed various alternatives.

CN Ashwath Narayan, the minister responsible for establishing seven of these universities, recommended that the government allocate Rs 50-100 crore as one-time seed funding for these institutions rather than shutting them down. “These universities don’t need extra land or infrastructure. The government should provide a one-time financial grant, allowing them to become self-sustaining through their own resources. The staff can be transferred to the parent universities,” he suggested.

Former education minister, Aravind Limbavali, sought that the state government could utilize corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds to sustain the universities rather than merging them. “If the government can make provisions for CSR funds for primary schools, the same could apply for higher educational institutions. Closing these universities is a politically motivated decision aimed at managing freebie schemes,” he remarked.

BJP state president BY Vijayendra criticized the Congress government, labeling the decision to close the universities as foolish. “This unscientific decision should be met with widespread opposition. We will support the ABVP and will raise this issue in the upcoming legislative session,” he said.

ABVP representatives mentioned that they have initiated a ‘Bhavati Bikshandehi’ campaign to collect funds from the public and deposit them into the Chief Minister’s account, as the government claims that the universities are a financial burden. “So far, we have collected Rs 18,000 through the campaign and transferred it to the Chief Minister’s account,” said Prithvi Kumar, ABVP state secretary for the North.

Meanwhile, Arun Shahapur, a Member of the Legislative Council remarked that a committee constituted by the state in 2024 took this decision only based on a profiteering agenda. “We want to know why only these nine universities have been targeted specifically. These were established thoughtfully in areas where the Gross Enrollment Ratio was very low and were planned as per the necessary provisions for establishment of new varsities. The congress must understand that students will not take this sitting down,” he added.

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