New UGC rules an attempt to usurp state universities: Tamil Nadu CM

Chennai: Terming as an attempt to “usurp” state universities the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) draft rules that grant broader powers to Governors in appointing Vice-Chancellors, the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Thursday passed an “unanimous” resolution demanding that the Union Government immediately withdraw the regulations.

Chief Minister M K Stalin, who moved the resolution in the House, also said the state government will go to the people and knock at the doors of judiciary if the Centre doesn't pay heed to Tamil Nadu’s demands in this regard. Except BJP MLAs, who staged a walkout, members of all parties supported the resolution that said the UGC’s draft resolutions are not just against principles of federalism but also against the future of the students.

“The draft rules will affect the strong education system in Tamil Nadu driven by social justice and the future of the youth of Tamil Nadu. Hence, the House believes that the draft rules of the UGC should be withdrawn immediately,” the resolution read. If the draft rules come into force, the Chancellors (Governors) will get greater control over selection of Vice-Chancellors of universities, which state governments feel will further “diminish” their role.

Tamil Nadu government’s opposition to the new rules stem from the ongoing battle between the DMK dispensation and Governor R N Ravi over a host of issues, especially on matters related to higher education.

Stalin said the BJP government has set its eyes on higher education after “creating stumbling blocks” for states in school education by “imposing” the National Education Policy among other things. He also asserted that the Tamil Nadu government will continue to oppose the scrapping of ‘No Detention Policy’ for students of 5th and 8th standard.

“We can only consider this (draft UGC rules) as an attempt to usurp universities that governments built using their own resources and economic strength. This regulation is against federalism. Interfering in the rights of state’s rights amounts to belittling democratically-elected state governments,” Stalin said. He asserted that Education should continue to remain with the state to ensure inclusivity.

The Chief Minister also accused the Union Government of “trying to control” state-run universities with “selfish interests” after having failed to bring any new higher education institute to Tamil Nadu and ensuring social justice in existing institutes run by it.

“Tamil Nadu is home to some of the best educational institutions in the country and the DMK government will not remain silent when autonomy of these educational institutions are being taken away,” Stalin added.

Dwelling into the draft rules, Stalin said already the state government and the Governor have differences of opinion in the appointment of VCs to state-run universities, While the Governor has appointed a representative of the UGC in the search committee for VCs, the state government didn’t agree to his actions and opposed it.

“When no solution has been found for this confrontation, it is not right to grant powers to the Governors to appoint VCs. Does it not amount to injustice and threat that Universities that don’t follow the rules cannot avail schemes of the UGC? Appointed Governors will not be able to understand the sentiments of the people of a state,” Stalin added.