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 decision comes after Governor Dr CV Ananda Bose reserved the bill for the President’s consideration in April 2024. The move has sparked a heated debate, with the BJP and other critics raising concerns about potential political interference in the education system.
The West Bengal University Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2022, was passed by the West Bengal Legislative Assembly in December 2022, with the intention of amending the existing laws governing state-run universities. The bill proposed to replace the Governor, who is currently the Chancellor of all state-run universities, with the Chief Minister. The move was seen as an attempt by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government to consolidate its power and influence over the education sector.
However, the bill was met with fierce opposition from the BJP and other critics, who argued that it would lead to political interference in the education system. They contended that the Chancellor’s position should remain apolitical and that the Governor, as a neutral figure, was better suited to hold the position. The critics also raised concerns that the Chief Minister, as Chancellor, would have undue influence over the universities, potentially compromising their autonomy and academic freedom.
The Governor, Dr CV Ananda Bose, had reserved the bill for the President’s consideration in April 2024, citing concerns about the potential implications of the amendment. The Governor’s decision to reserve the bill was seen as a significant move, as it allowed the President to review the bill and consider the concerns raised by the opposition.
Now, with the President’s rejection of the bill, the status quo has been maintained, and the Governor will continue to remain the Chancellor of all state-run universities. The decision is seen as a victory for the opposition, which had been vocal in its criticism of the bill.
The BJP, in particular, has welcomed the President’s decision, saying that it is a “victory for the people of West Bengal” and a “defeat for the TMC’s attempts to politicize education”. The party has long argued that the education system should be free from political interference and that the Chancellor’s position should remain apolitical.
The TMC, on the other hand, has expressed disappointment over the President’s decision, saying that it is an “attack on the federal structure” of the country. The party has argued that the bill was aimed at promoting the development of education in the state and that the Chief Minister, as Chancellor, would have been better equipped to oversee the universities.
The debate surrounding the West Bengal University Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2022, highlights the complex and often contentious relationship between politics and education. While the TMC government had argued that the bill was necessary to promote the development of education in the state, the opposition had raised concerns about the potential implications of political interference in the education system.
The President’s decision to reject the bill is a significant development in this context, as it upholds the principle of maintaining the autonomy and academic freedom of universities. The decision also underscores the importance of keeping the education system free from political interference, ensuring that universities can function independently and without undue influence from the government.
In conclusion, the President’s rejection of the West Bengal University Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2022, is a significant development that has far-reaching implications for the education sector in West Bengal. The decision highlights the importance of maintaining the autonomy and academic freedom of universities and underscores the need to keep the education system free from political interference. As the debate surrounding the bill continues, it is essential to prioritize the interests of students, teachers, and the education system as a whole, rather than allowing political considerations to dictate the course of education policy.
News source: https://x.com/airnewsalerts/status/2000530778275618943
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