The Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee has accused the BJP of conspiring to close down Jawaharlal Nehru University by vitiating the ambience of the university.
Alleging that the machinations were being directed by BJP national president Amit Shah, PCC president Kishore Upadhyay opined that Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani’s statement is in line with the BJP’s propensity to close down institutions hosting the nation’s ‘intellectuals’.
A protest will be staged on February 19 in Dehradun on the JNU issue.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, Upadhyay cited various recently reported cases as exemplifying the BJP ideology. He said, “It is clear through the social media and media that those raising anti-India slogans were linked to the ABVP. Instead of acting against them, the Centre is trying to frame leaders and members of other political parties in a manner which doesn’t bode well for democracy.”
Regarding the recent decision of the National Green Tribunal prohibiting polythene along the Ganga in Uttarakhand, the PCC chief opined that the decision was not in favour of the State. He said, “The Central Government should compensate Uttarakhand for the economic loss resulting from the ban enforcement in addition to the green bonus the State deserves. Haridwar MP and former CM Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ used to demand green bonus for the state in the past but has kept silent on the issue since his election to the parliament with a BJP-led Government at the Centre. The five lok Sabha MPs of the BJP from Uttarakhand are busy flattering the Prime Minister instead of advocating interests of the State,” said Upadhyay.
He further said that the Union Government not releasing any fund to Uttarakhand for the ongoing Ardh Kumbh Mela is an example of the party’s rigid mentality. The cuts made in central budgetary allocations to the State show that the BJP leaders are not concerned about development in Uttarakhand, he averred.
On the issue of security personnel being deployed for protection of politicians in the state, Upadhyay questioned the need for such protection. The State Government is responsible for the safety of any person whose life is in danger while the other politicians should themselves relieve security personnel guarding them.
The PCC chief also declared that March 8 will be observed as Mahila Samman Diwas which will have invited women from across the State congregating in Dehradun to participate in a march.