Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal, who was the former HRD minister, dared the HRD ministry to celebrate November 8, the day of demonetisation, as “surgical strike day”
A day after the University Grants Commission (UGC) directed universities and higher educational institutions across the country to observe September 29 as “surgical strike day”, union Human Resource Development Minister (HRD) Prakash Javadekar said the circular is only advisory in nature, not mandatory.
“We have not made any compulsions either to institutes or to students. We have issued a programme because of suggestions from many students and teachers that they need to commemorate the second anniversary of the surgical strike,” said Javadekar.
He added that the circular was patriotic. “Where is politics? This is not politics but patriotism,” he said.
Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal, who was the former HRD minister, dared the HRD ministry to celebrate November 8, the day of demonetisation, as “surgical strike day”.
“UGC directs VC’s of all universities to celebrate 29th September as Surgical Strike Day. Is this meant to educate or to serve BJP’s political ends?” Sibal tweeted. “Will UGC dare celebrate 8th November as Surgical Strike Day depriving the poor of their livelihoods? This another jumla!”
“We have never seen the UGC send out such a directive. This is a destruction of the independent nature of the university system. The only motive of this directive is to reap political gains,” Sibal said.
TMC leader and West Bengal education minister Partha Chatterjee too criticised the circular. “This is an attempt to malign and politicise the Army,” Chatterjee said.
The circular said that parades must be organised by all NCC units on September 29, where the NCC commander should address the gathering on “the modalities of protection of the borders”. “The varsities may organise a talk-session calling ex-servicemen to sensitise students about sacrifices made by the armed forces,” the UGC order read. It also stated that an exhibition will be organised at the India Gate.
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