Prez rejects WB govt’s Bill to make CM chancellor of universities
In a significant development, President Droupadi Murmu has rejected the West Bengal University Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2022, which aimed to replace the Governor with the Chief Minister as the Chancellor of all state-run universities. This move has been seen as a major setback for the West Bengal government, which had been pushing for the bill to be passed. The Governor, Dr CV Ananda Bose, had reserved the bill for the President’s consideration in April 2024, citing concerns over the potential implications of the proposed amendment.
The West Bengal University Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2022, was introduced by the state government with the objective of making the Chief Minister the Chancellor of all state-run universities. The bill had been passed by the West Bengal Legislative Assembly in December 2022, and was subsequently sent to the Governor for his assent. However, the Governor had expressed reservations about the bill, and had decided to reserve it for the President’s consideration.
The BJP and other critics had raised concerns about the potential for political interference in the education system if the bill were to be passed. They had argued that making the Chief Minister the Chancellor of universities would lead to a situation where the education system would be controlled by the ruling party, and that this would undermine the autonomy of universities. The critics had also pointed out that the Governor, as the Chancellor of universities, was a neutral figure who could ensure that the education system was free from political interference.
The rejection of the bill by the President is seen as a major victory for the critics of the bill. It is expected that the West Bengal government will now have to go back to the drawing board and come up with a new proposal that addresses the concerns of the President and the Governor. The state government had argued that the bill was necessary to ensure that the education system in the state was aligned with the priorities of the government. However, the President and the Governor had clearly not been convinced by this argument.
The issue of who should be the Chancellor of universities is a contentious one, and has been debated in various states across the country. While some states have the Governor as the Chancellor, others have the Chief Minister or the Education Minister in this position. The debate over who should be the Chancellor of universities is not just about the personalities involved, but also about the principles of autonomy and academic freedom.
The autonomy of universities is a fundamental principle of the education system, and is essential for ensuring that institutions of higher learning are able to function independently and without interference from external forces. The Chancellor of a university plays a crucial role in ensuring that this autonomy is protected, and that the university is able to function in a fair and transparent manner. If the Chancellor is a political figure, there is a risk that the university will be subject to political interference, and that the autonomy of the institution will be compromised.
The rejection of the West Bengal University Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2022, is a significant development, and has implications not just for the state of West Bengal, but also for the entire country. It highlights the importance of protecting the autonomy of universities, and of ensuring that the education system is free from political interference. It also underscores the need for a neutral and impartial figure to be the Chancellor of universities, someone who can ensure that the institution is able to function in a fair and transparent manner.
In conclusion, the rejection of the West Bengal University Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2022, by the President is a welcome development, and is a significant victory for those who believe in the importance of protecting the autonomy of universities. It is expected that the West Bengal government will now have to come up with a new proposal that addresses the concerns of the President and the Governor, and that prioritizes the autonomy and academic freedom of universities.
News Source: https://x.com/airnewsalerts/status/2000530778275618943
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