MP Bishnu Pada Ray demands Central University for Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) Bishnu Pada Ray, Andaman and Nicobar Islands (A&NI), has urged the Prime Minister and Home Minister for their urgent intervention in taking a decision to establish a Central University (as in Ladakh) in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in place of Deemed to be University. Further, till such time the Central University is established, the affiliation of all colleges in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands be continued with Pondicherry University.

Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) Bishnu Pada Ray, Andaman and Nicobar Islands has said that he had requested the Prime Minister and Home Minister for establishing of a Central University instead of proposed Deemed to be University in December last year, but there was no response from the Union Government, despite of matter being forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs for necessary action. A suitable assurance should be issued in this regard so that the ongoing dharna and peaceful protest of the students, which commenced on February 3, can be called off.

It may be recalled that students’ protest against establishing of a ‘Deemed to be University’ was a huge success on Monday in the entire Andaman and Nicobar Islands. For the first time, remotest Nicobar island’s students and citizens also extended their wholehearted support. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are spread over a long length, which makes access to the scattered islands of Nicobar difficult to communicate, but, the social media reduced the distances across the Andaman Sea.

Many students from remote and inaccessible islands of Nicobar reside in Sri Vijaya Puram for their higher studies by paying a price that most of them are unable to afford, and they face tremendous economic pressure. With the establishment of the proposed Deemed to be University, they won’t stand a chance to undergo professional studies in medical, law and engineering colleges. Pondicherry University provides the most affordable and quality higher education, which they want to continue, said a Nicobari parent at the protest site in Sri Vijaya Puram.

Life has become normal since this morning. Shops, transportation, etc., which were completely shut down yesterday, are operating smoothly today. We are very much satisfied that our voluntary closure in support of our students was a huge success, said Dipesh Chandra, an auto driver, adding that he had never known that the students would get an unprecedented response to their call from people from remote of remotest.

Citizens of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have shown historic support against an issue which is being forced unto them. I just joined everyone by staying back in my home. I have two children, and I only know how I slog day and night in the heat and rain so that I could provide a better education to my children. Students know what is best for them, and we as parents will always support their decision, come what may be, he concluded.

Meanwhile, MP (LS), A&NI stated in a press release that having brought the burning issue into notice of the Union Education Minister by meeting him personally on the 13th February, apprising him of the prevailing situation, thus seeking his urgent intervention, still there was no relief expressed to the demands of students, so far.

At present, around 6000 students, along with their parents, are on strike at the premises of Jawaharlal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya (JNRM), pressing their demands for a Central University.

If the present situation continues and the genuine demands of the students are not addressed at the earliest, there is every possibility of deterioration of law and order, including extreme steps by distressed students who have been protesting day and night in an open space without proper shelter since 3rd February, the MP (LS) A&NI press release stated.  

The MP (LS) A&NI informed in the press release that the criticality of the situation can be judged by the fact that many young leaders of the party and existing PRI members have resigned from their posts and party in protest. This is an alarming situation. BJP party’s position is critical, particularly due to the unsolicited statement of the State President, Andaman and Nicobar Islands favoring Deemed to be University in a function held on 15th February on the Union Budget, in the presence of MoS George Kurian.

This singular flash news has acted as adding fuel to the fire and was one of the main reasons for the successful bandh across the territory on Monday.

Andaman Bandh Success Followed by Legal Battle: JAF to Move Court Against Deemed University Affiliation; Students to Continue Daily Protests

Meanwhile, in late night press conference, Adv Rakesh Pal Govind, Co-Convenor, Joint Action Forum Against Deemed University said that the Joint Action Forum Against Deemed University (JAF), which spearheaded the recent island-wide shut down against the proposed deemed university system, has announced that it will initiate legal proceedings in the High Court challenging the affiliation of existing Government colleges under a deemed university framework in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The decision comes in the wake of what organisers described as a highly successful and peaceful Andaman Bandh (general call off), which received widespread support from the public, business community, various political parties and civil society organisations across the Islands. JAF expressed gratitude to all sections of society for standing in solidarity with students and supporting what it termed a “genuine cause” concerning the academic future of island youth.

Forum representatives said it has been decided to call off the continuous general strike in the larger interest of students’ academic schedules, while intensifying the movement through democratic and lawful means. As part of the next phase of protest, students will attend classes in the morning wearing black badges as a mark of dissent and will continue peaceful demonstrations daily from 2 pm to 6 pm in front of their respective colleges.

JAF also noted that the administration has partially agreed to allow continuation under Pondicherry University affiliation for the academic year 2025-2026 for existing batches until completion of their courses, which the forum described as a “positive but incomplete step.” JAF once again urged the administration to fully reconsider the implementation of the deemed university system in the Islands in the interest of students.

“The movement is solely aimed at protecting students’ academic interests, degree recognition and future opportunities. We remain committed to non-violent and democratic methods,” the forum said.

Meanwhile, a delegation comprising students and JAF members will travel to New Delhi to seek appointments with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to present their concerns directly before the central leadership. The delegation also plans to reach out to national media and political parties to highlight the issue at the national level.

Reiterating its appreciation to the general public for making the bandh a success, JAF said the unprecedented unity shown by Islanders has strengthened the resolve of the movement, which will continue through democratic and legal means until the concerns regarding the deemed university affiliation are addressed satisfactorily, the press release stated.

Online Petition to the President of India by students of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In an online petition circulated widely by the students, the President of India has been appealed for immediate intervention regarding 14 days continuous student protest demanding a statutory public University in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands and also informing about the grave educational crisis unfolding in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Students of seven Government colleges have been sitting on a peaceful 24-hour protest on the roads. They have stopped attending classes in order to safeguard their academic future and degrees. The situation has deeply affected students and their families across the islands, the petition stated.

One day general shutdown (call-off), saw islanders’ participation from all the communities, which clearly shows that the people of the islands also oppose the forced implementation of the Deemed to be University model on our existing colleges.

Our seven colleges have long been affiliated with Pondicherry University, a Central University that ensures credibility, national recognition, and stability. However, mid-academic term, the affiliation is being shifted to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Institute of Higher Learning (NSCBIHL), declared as a Deemed-to-be-University.

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the islands in 2018, he proposed a Deemed University to strengthen higher education. It was never stated that all seven existing colleges would be merged under it or that affiliation with Pondicherry University would be withdrawn.

University of Ladakh (2018).

Ladakh, a Union Territory without a legislature - just like Andaman & Nicobar - was granted a ‘Statutory Public University’ through the University of Ladakh Act. Existing Government colleges of Leh and Kargil were clustered into one Public University. This university was created by law, carries Government funding, and has full statutory backing. It is not a “deemed” status but a ‘permanent public institution’.

Cluster Universities of Jammu & Srinagar (2016).

In Jammu & Kashmir, five existing Government colleges were merged into Cluster Universities.

These institutions remained fully Government-subsidised, publicly accountable, and empowered to award degrees under a statutory framework. They were modernised while remaining public and transparent bodies.

Both models prove that a Union Territory can have a Statutory Public University instead of being placed under a self-financing Deemed structure.

Article 240 - Constitutional Provision. Under Article 240 of the Constitution of India, the President has the power to make regulations for the “peace, progress and good governance” of Union Territories such as the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

As highlighted, instead of a UGC notification granting “Deemed” status (which can be reviewed or withdrawn), Your Excellency may issue a Presidential Regulation establishing a “University of Andaman & Nicobar.” Such a regulation has the force of law, like an Act of Parliament.

A Statutory University is a permanent “Body Corporate” with Government accountability. It cannot be easily privatised or dissolved.

Why is the Deemed Model risky for islanders?

Under UGC Deemed Regulations 2023, deemed universities are encouraged to become self-sustaining. This often leads to reduced Government subsidy, increased tuition and ancillary charges where there are no strict fee caps, and it does not have financial opacity compared to other public universities.

The Andaman & Nicobar Islands have high living costs. Many families depend on agriculture, fishing, and private employment. For students from remote islands like the Nicobar, even current expenses are heavy. A self-financed model may make higher education unaffordable.

If mainland students face high fees, they can shift to other state or central universities. But island students have no such option. This creates inequality in access to education.

In their online petition the students have appealed that if a Deemed University must be established, it should be built on newly allotted land as a separate institution without disturbing the affiliation of the seven colleges with Pondicherry University, or, grant Andaman & Nicobar Islands a Statutory Public University under Article 240, similar to Ladakh and the Cluster Universities of Jammu & Kashmir, ensuring Government funding, fee regulation, transparency, and constitutional protection. Forcing only Andaman & Nicobar into a self-financed deemed model while other Union Territories are granted statutory universities amounts to administrative discrimination and violates the principle of equality. We request the President of India to intervene and protect the future of thousands of students of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.