Initiating a fresh row over rechristening of Ranchi College after Bharatiya Jan Sangh founder Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee, tribal bodies called it an attempt to ‘Saffronise’ educational institutions by Raghubar Das-led BJP Government in the State. The tribal leaders also vowed to intensify their movement against the move and demanded that the College must be named after a freedom fighter belonging to the State.
“This is being done at the behest of Chief Minister Raghubar Das who wants to ‘saffronise’ the whole State….we will not let it happen and intensify the protest after “Sarhul Puja,” said Executive President of Adivasi Jan Parishad Prem Shahi Munda. “This is an insult to the freedom fighters of the State who sacrificed their lives for the country several years ahead of the Revolt of 1857 when the people did not even know the meaning of freedom,” he added.
“This is a conspiracy being hatched by this Government on the party line to finish the heritage of tribal population. It has been well said that if you want to finish any community, finish the history of that population,” said Munda.
President of Adivasi-Moolwasi Jharkhand Manch Raju Mahto was also of the view that there was no logic in naming Ranchi College in the name of Mookerjee as he had no contribution in the State and was irrelevant for the people here.
“Public sentiments have nothing to do this person….things must be done according to the public sentiments so that the move does not get opposed by the people,” said Mahto. This is just an effort to ‘saffronise’ the education system in this State, he added.
“It should not only be in the name of any BJP or RSS leader, rather it should be named after Dr Ram Dayal Munda who had contributed a lot to this College or any of our freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives during the freedom struggle,” he added. Reiterating that they will never let it happen, tribal student leaders also said that the tribal population was deeply hurt with the decision of State Government to rename Ranchi College after Mookerjee.
“Tribal population is deeply hurt with this decision taken by the State Government which is clearly an indication that the attempts are being made to ‘saffronise’ education system in this State,” said President of Tribal Students Union Sushil Oraon.
Opposing the decision on Monday, Adivasi Chhatra Sangh locked the main gate of the college and burnt effigy of Chief Minister Raghubar Das and shouted anti-BJP slogans at Morhabadi. The protesters forced suspension of classes at Ranchi College and stopped hundreds of students from performing at a pre-Sarhul celebration at Raj Bhawan.
The All India Students’ Federation (AISF) has joined hands with the Tribal Students body to protest alleged efforts to ‘saffronise’ education in Jharkhand. AJSU too, has expressed discontentment over the Government’s decision.