हिंदी
(Asks CM to defend the case vigorously in court as well take up issue with the centre)
Chandigarh, May 24 – Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal today condemned the woeful inadequacy of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government to protect the interests of Punjab by failing to represent its case in court leading to observations asking the union government to consider converting the Panjab University into a central varsity.
In a statement here, the SAD president said despite the fact that Panjab University was a symbol of pride for Punjabis who did not want its unique character to be tinkered in any manner whatsoever, the AAP government had not even thought it appropriate to defend the State’s position in an appropriate manner in the Punjab and Haryana high court. “This has caused irreparable damage to Punjab’s case. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann should take notice of this development immediately and not only defend the State’s point of view but also take up the issue with the union government. Panjab University is a symbol of the rich and varied culture of Punjab and any move to transfer its jurisdiction to the centre would be against the interests of the State and its people”. Mr Badal observed.
Asserting that the chief minister should not take the issue lightly, the SAD president said numerous conspiracies had been hatched in the recent part to dilute Punjab’s control over Panjab University. “I can state with pride that the SAD has always been in the forefront in ensuring the unique character of the varsity is not diluted”. He gave the instance of formation of a high level committee in the guise of governance reforms which recommended drastic reduction in the territorial jurisdiction of the institution as well as eliminating Punjabis from the institution by recommending the Syndicate have only ex-officio and nominated members instead of elected representatives.
Asserting that the SAD had foiled this attempt as well as other steps seeking to dilute Punjab’s hold over the University, Mr Badal said AAP should understand that Panjab University was symbolic of the regional aspirations of the people of the State as well as the tenets of federalism. He also asked the chief minister to take note of the fact that the university had been founded with the aim of preserving and promoting the academic and cultural heritage of the State. “You must ensure this status remains unchanged”, the SAD President told Mr Bhagwant Mann”. EOM
