Terming the naming of University of Pune after Late Savitribai Phule as a path-breaking step, NCP President Sharad Pawar on Saturday said that people of Solapur should come forward with unanimity to name Solapur University after Late Ahilyabai Holkar.
He was speaking at the function to mark the expansion of the name of the University as Savitribai Phule Pune University and unveiling of statue of Late Babasaheb Ambedkar. Maharashtra Governor K Sankaranarayanan unveiled the statue in presence of Union Minister of state for Rural Development Upendra Kushwaha, Maharashtra PWD Minister Chagan Bhujbal, Minister for higher and technical education Rajesh Tope, vice-chancellor Vasudev Gade, Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule, city mayor Chanchala Kodre and MLA Vinayak Nimhan were present on the dais.
Pawar said that Late Savitribai's name was given to Pune University after consensus on the same and now it was for people of Solapur to come forward in this regard so that Solapur University can be named after legendary Ahilyabai Holkar. Pawar recalled contribution of Savitribai Phule towards her pioneering efforts for education of girl child and said, `it was on August 9, 1942 when Mahatma Gandhi had given the call of Quit India and after all the leaders were arrested by British rulers, Aruna Asafali hoisted unfurled the Tri-color. Women power has to be recognised and time has come to re-name Solapur University after Late Ahilyabai Holkar.'
It is interesting to note that Late Ahilyabai Holkar hails from Dhangar (Shepherd) community and the community leaders have launched state-wide agitations for the demand of reservation. A group of youth attacked Minister for Cooperation Harshawardhan Patil on Friday in which his left eye has been injured. Pawar raking up the issue of re-naming of Solapur University is significant on this backdrop since Government has recently given reservation benefits to Maratha community and renaming of Pune University has worked for the interest of the Mali community which is spearheaded by Chagan Bhujbal.
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