Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad opposes the recent letter that Delhi Education Minister Atishi Marlena wrote to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan with a proposal to merge 12 Delhi University colleges into Ambedkar University.ABVP believes Delhi Government has been consistently failing in its education policies within Delhi and is now attempting to undermine the autonomy and independence of the university through this proposal.
It is to be noted that during 1986-94, the central government used the education budget of the Delhi government to establish 12 colleges under Delhi University. After that, different governments maintained continuity until the Aam Aadmi Party came to power in 2015. The current Delhi government has been inconsistent in its management of these colleges from the early days, from the prolonged appointment of permanent principals to the neglection of basic facilities in colleges, addressing the financial issues during the COVID pandemic, or disregarding the infrastructure needs, the government has consistently failed. The recent discovery over the expenditure of approximately 45 crores on the Delhi Chief Minister’s residence ‘Sheesh Mahal’ has exposed the true nature of this corrupt government. ABVP clearly believes that the Delhi government’s actions regarding these 12 colleges of Delhi University are entirely inappropriate, putting the future of these colleges and the students studying in them in jeopardy. This authoritarian move by the government reflects its dictatorial approach in the administration of various institutions in Delhi. ABVP demands a thorough investigation into the funding pattern of the state government’s education budget. This situation evidently highlights the failure of the declared state education model and administrative capabilities of the state government, reinforcing the demand for transferring responsibilities to the Central government.
ABVP Delhi State Secretary, Harsh Attri, said that “the government’s decision is dictatorial, inflicting a blow to Delhi University’s autonomy. These 12 colleges are integral components of University. The government’s proposal will leave the future of these colleges hanging. Additionally, it is surprising that the government can make such crucial decisions without consulting stakeholders, particularly the students. ABVP will shortly conduct a survey to understand students’ perspectives and opinions as this decision will significantly impact them. ABVP insists that the state government should prioritize its responsibilities by considering the future of students and, if incapable, should resign.”
The Delhi University Students’ Union President, Tushar Dedha, said that “ABVP completely disagrees with the government’s proposal to merge 12 colleges into Ambedkar University and opposes it. A survey will be conducted among students regarding this proposal because it directly affects their education. The negligence of the appropriate process by the Aam Aadmi Party government is alarming, and ABVP ensures that the autonomy of Delhi University will never be compromised.
