Chandigarh, June 7, 2023 (Yes Punjab News)
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today condemned the Panjab University authorities for bulldozing a memorandum of understanding (mou) with the Research for Resurgent Foundation (RFRF), an affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), asserting Panjab University was set to virtually hand over the varsity to the RSS. It announced to resist this mou tooth and nail, including when it is presented to the Senate for approval.
Addressing a press conference here, SAD general secretary Parambans Singh Romana said “it is clear that the RSS wants to capture our academic institutions and the PU vice chancellor is becoming a willing tool in this exercise”.
He detailed how the vice chancellor had formed a Committee on March 21 to vet the mou presented by the RFRF which has been founded by RSS subsidiary organization – Bharatiya Sikshan Mandal. He said after the proposal was approved by the Committee it was put up for approval before the Syndicate on April 23 which initially deferred approval due to objections but finally approved the same on May 27.
Reading out from the minutes of the Syndicate meeting which passed the mou amidst protests, Mr Parambans Romana said “it seems the PU vice chancellor has agreed to sublet the University to the RFRF. He said the mou made it mandatory for PU to publicize the activities of RFRF and create awareness about the institution, provide infrastructure and academic support to it, promote both faculty and student exchange programmes and recognize RFRF for giving degrees including doctorate thesis”.
Mr Romana said the PU, which had a secular vision, had gone ahead with the mou with the RSS affiliate despite the fact that the Foundation was neither a college, deemed University or University. “If the PU has to approve such mou’s it should simply turn the University into a Shakha and transfer the authority to award degrees to the RSS directly instead of taking this indirect route”, Mr Romana asserted. He also castigated the Punjab government representative – the Director, Higher Education for not objecting to the proposal in the Syndicate.
Asserting that the SAD would oppose this tooth and nail, the SAD leader said party president Sukhbir Singh Badal would also take up this issue at the highest level. He said the SAD would also approach Senate members before the mou is presented for approval in the House.
He said it was the duty of the Punjab government also to oppose the proposal with the chief minister, education minister and two legislators from Punjab being members of the Syndicate. He also appealed to all political parties, organizations and the alumni association of PU to oppose this mou and ensure it is not passed in the Senate.
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