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. The decision has far-reaching implications for the education system in West Bengal and has sparked a heated debate about the role of politics in academia.
The West Bengal University Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2022, was introduced by the West Bengal government with the objective 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 state government to consolidate its power over the education system.
However, the bill was met with resistance from various quarters, including the Governor, Dr. CV Ananda Bose, who reserved the bill for the President’s consideration in April 2024. The Governor’s decision to reserve the bill was seen as a significant setback for the state government, which had been pushing for the amendment.
The BJP and other critics had raised concerns about the potential for political interference in the education system if the Chief Minister were to become the Chancellor of all state-run universities. They argued that the move would undermine the autonomy of universities and lead to a politicization of education. The critics also pointed out that the Governor, as a neutral figure, was better equipped to oversee the education system and ensure that it was free from political interference.
The President’s decision to reject the bill has been welcomed by those who were opposed to the amendment. They see it as a victory for the autonomy of universities and a safeguard against political interference in the education system. The decision is also seen as a significant setback for the West Bengal government, which had been pushing for the amendment.
The issue of political interference in the education system is a sensitive one, and the President’s decision has sparked a heated debate about the role of politics in academia. While some argue that the Chief Minister, as the elected head of the state government, should have a say in the education system, others believe that the education system should be free from political interference.
The West Bengal government had argued that the amendment was necessary to ensure that the education system was aligned with the state’s development goals. They claimed that the Chief Minister, as the Chancellor, would be better equipped to oversee the education system and ensure that it was serving the needs of the state.
However, the critics argued that the amendment would lead to a politicization of education and undermine the autonomy of universities. They pointed out that the Governor, as a neutral figure, was better equipped to oversee the education system and ensure that it was free from political interference.
The President’s decision to reject the bill is a significant development, and it has far-reaching implications for the education system in West Bengal. It is a reminder that the education system should be free from political interference and that the autonomy of universities should be protected.
In conclusion, the President’s decision to reject the West Bengal University Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2022, is a significant development that has far-reaching implications for the education system in West Bengal. The decision is a victory for the autonomy of universities and a safeguard against political interference in the education system. It is a reminder that the education system should be free from political interference and that the autonomy of universities should be protected.
News Source: https://x.com/airnewsalerts/status/2000530778275618943
About the Author
