The Hindu : Other States / Gujarat News : Gujarat defers promulgation of Ordinance on universities

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Saturday, Oct 16, 2004

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Gujarat defers promulgation of Ordinance on universities

By Manas Dasgupta

GANDHINAGAR, OCT. 15. In the face of stiff opposition from students and academics, the Gujarat Cabinet today decided to defer the proposed "Common Universities Ordinance."

The move was viewed by the Congress and the party-affiliated student organisations as an attempt towards"saffronisation" of the higher education.

The Urban Development Minister, I. K. Jadeja, said the Cabinet met here today under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, decided to defer the Ordinance. The Government would give the move "more considerations" and discuss it with all those concerned.

The Pradesh Congress Committee described it as a "people's victory" and said the decision "forced by the students, the academics and the people'' was a "big slap" on the face of the BJP Government trying to destroy the autonomy of the universities in the State.

The draft Ordinance was sent to the Governor, Nawal Kishore Sharma, some three weeks ago. Refusing to sign it, the Governor had sent queries to the Education Department to know what exigencies had arisen for the Ordinance. He had pointed out that in the absence of any exigency, such a move could be initiated through a bill in the Assembly.

The Ordinance "sought" to take away the powers and authority of the vice-chancellors, the syndicate and senate.

It authorises the State Government to appoint vice-chancellors of its choice and assume powers to nullify any decision taken by the University syndicate.

The worst-hit of the proposed move would be the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Vadodara, and the Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar.

The Ordinance, if promulgated, would have taken away their residential character and made them affiliating universities.

The resistance against the ordinance was strongest in Vadodara, where students have gone on an indefinite strike for the last three days and top academics, including some former vice-chancellors had staged a dharna demanding its withdrawal.

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Gujarat defers promulgation of Ordinance on universities