Jai Ram Thakur Urges Mandi University Closure Plans to Be Withdrawn
Jairam Thakur, former CM and Leader of Opposition
Mandi, March 3 – Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur has vehemently condemned the state government’s alleged plots to shut down the Sardar Patel University (SPU) in Mandi and claimed that the government was deliberately sabotaging the daily functioning of the institution. In a statement issued from Mandi, Thakur has detailed a series of measures which he says are part of a larger conspiracy to close the university and urged the government to end the plans without delay.
Thakur claims the government has methodically undermined Mandi University by first shrinking its geographic domain. He accused the government of taking “away” territories from SPU, leading to a sudden decline in the number of colleges associated with it. Later, Thakur alleged that the university’s budget had been cut and institutional government buildings acquired, all of which has led to the weakening of Mandi University. He says those moves are part of a larger strategy to put the university in a position where it would ultimately have no alternative but to close its doors.
“Today, the government is trying to get rid of all the B.Ed. colleges from Mandi University, which would remove a major revenue stream of the institution,” Thakur said. He cautioned that such a step would give the government an excuse to shut the university. Thakur also mentioned that in a letter from the Academic Branch dated February 22, the government had sought the opinions of the University regarding the possible transfer of SPU’s B.Ed. colleges to Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), a decision that he says would saddle thousands of students and their families with new financial expenses while also snatching away an important source of income from Mandi University, which he leads.
Thakur in a comment stated: “Currently there are 18 B.Ed. colleges associated with it and an income of around three crores. In contrast, there are 55 private B.Ed. universities and a single government B.Ed. college of Mandi University, so the loss of these 18 colleges would deal a severe blow to Mandi University. He accused the state government of scheming to destroy the university’s financial base, paving the way for it to close.
The Leader of Opposition also made sarcastic remarks on the actions of Sukhu government when they come to power. The Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu lacks the vision to open new universities, and is focusing on closing them, especially the Mandi University, alleged Thakur. Thakur mentioned an example where the government transferred a university building to a private college but a building worth ` 15 crore, built along with Padhar Degree College, has been lying idle for a year and not being used by Mandi University.
“As soon as the Sukhu government assumed office, its first step was to curb Sardar Patel University Mandi,” said Thakur. Initially, there were 146 affiliated colleges from five districts — Mandi, Kangra, Chamba, Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti, he pointed out. But Kangra, Chamba and colleges in the Ani and Nirmand areas have since come out to the university’s jurisdiction, bringing the total number of affiliated colleges to 46. He asked what would happen to the institution with the possible loss of 18 more colleges.
Thakur claimed the government was seeking vendetta with the university and did not consider the consequences on students and their families in Kangra, Chamba and elsewhere. He urged the government to stop its harmful activities and start focusing on constructive politics instead of hurling abuses at the citizens of Himachal Pradesh in the name of “Sukh ki Sarkar” (happiness government).
While Thakur’s statement has garnered a lot attention from the public and university staff, many fear that closing the university could have dire consequences for students in the region.
Continuing the achievement of the journey of effectiveness and credibility of more than 10 years in the career of journalism, as a woman journalist, I am Serving as the founder, promoter and editor of DiaryTimes with the trust and support of all. My credible coverage may not have given a big shape to the numbers, but my journey presents articles that make you aware of the exact and meaningful situations of Himachal’s politics, ground issues related to the public, business, tourism and the difficult geographical conditions of the state and financial awareness. DiaryTimes, full of the experience of my precise editorial expertise, is awakening the flame of credible journalism among all of you, so that the eternal flame of meaningful change can be lit in the life of the people of the state and the atrocities being committed against the people can be brought to the fore, I am motivated for that. If even a small change comes with the power of my journalism and the whole world becomes a witness to that issues, then I will consider myself fortunate.
