|
|
|
|
Patna,(BiharTimes): How can the leader of the Congress Legislature Party in any state, where it is not in power, openly criticize a Union Minister belonging to his/her own party and instead side with the chief minister on the issue which apparently has no political significance? This can happen only when he or she is on way out and plans to jump on the ruling party bandwagon in that state. |
But this has happened recently in Bihar, where Sadanand Singh openly flayed Kapil Sibal following the Centre’s decision to open Central University of Bihar in Gaya and not in Motihari as proposed by Nitish Kumar. Sadanand did not remain silent like many other politicians, but went on to support the state chief minister on this count, when the truth is that academics, scholars and students, cutting across political lines, are openly questioning the state government’s move to stall this central government project in Gaya.
Those who are neither from East Champaran (Motihari is its district headquarters) or Gaya are perturbed over the belligerent mood of the chief minister. “The issue is not just whether the Central University should be established. The VC of the CUB, Prof Janak Pandey, is repeatedly telling the newspapers and television channels how, the state govt.is compelling the Birla Institute of Technology to get the CUB evicted from its campus, when it is paying rent to it.
How can this move be justified? Where is Kapil Sibal in this case? Why is Nitish spoiling the career of hundreds of students?” asked a senior political observer of the state who wished not to be quoted.No doubt a sizeable number of people of East Champaran want CUB in that district for obvious reason. Some students of East Champaran district, to whom BiharTimes talked to, are even planning to go to Delhi to register their protest before Kapil Sibal.
But then a much larger group of people as well academic of Magadh Division––Gaya, Nawada, Jehanabad, Arwal and Aurangabad districts––have gird up their loins to fight for the CUB in Gaya. Unlike Motihari they are not just making it an emotional issue, but have their own argument. “Gaya fulfils most of the criteria laid down for the establishment of Central University way back in 2009. Besides, it is the central government land and the state has absolutely nothing to do.
What is more the Centre has already promised to give financial help to the Nitish government to set up a state university in Motihari,” said an academic.A meeting was held at Gandhi Mandap in Gaya on Wednesday (March 14) to chalk out future course of action. Perhaps the organizers, who come from different political parties, social groups and academics, deliberately chose Gandhi Mandap for this gathering as many of them felt the state government is trying to sell Gandhji to bring CUB to Champaran.There is storm in the Congress party too.
Sources are now speculating that Sadanand is on way out and may end up in Janata Dal (United). His party has only four MLAs in Bihar and causing split in it is no big deal. A few months back such rumours surfaced, but was later denied by he himself. Besides, a case of irregularities in appointment in the state Assembly has also been pending against him in the Vigilance court. It is only late last year that he got bail. Sadanand, it needs to be mentioned, is a former speaker of the Bihar Assembly and belongs to Kurmi caste.
On the other hand, Vijay Kumar Mithu, the convener of Central University of Bihar Struggle Committee, who is himself a member of the Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee (BPCC) said that representatives of political and social organisations, Central Bihar Chamber of Commerce (CBCC), unions of students and teachers from colleges affiliated to Magadh University, the Gaya Bar Association, the district unit of Indian Medical Association and other groups have extended support to the cause.
In Motihari, members of the Mahatma Gandhi Kendriya Vishwavidyalaya Sangharsh Morcha, is toeing the state government line on the issue. They too held a procession in protest against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Kapil Sibal in protest against the Centre’s decision. The only difference is that while those taking to streets in Motihari enjoys the patronage of the state government those who are spearheading a much larger movement in Gaya or Magadh division are doing against the will of the state government.
comments...
NItishji : Please don't divide , just rule !
Historically whenever a dissent in the opinion of the people of Bihar has emerged the government has had to go.Nitish's current tricky political dynamism will not translate into his long term success.By pitting the Biharis of Motihari against the Biharis of Gaya oscillating the carrot of CUB between them is a cheap political gimmick and the belittled Biharis will soon teach him a lesson in political ethics.The entire faith of the people of Bihar in this regime has undergone a major shift so far as to bring even the old time ideological opponents together owing to a seemingly deceptive gesture from the state government on the important issue of education which is practically the back bone of Bihar. Nitish Kumar is shamelessly perusing his political self interest while the students and guardians are suffering for lack of a robust central university in the state, and for which Gaya is the most suitable place and a natural choice by the central government. One should understand that It's not about the virtues and vices of the CM , it's not about the tall political promises he might have made to the the electorate of Motihari, it's is not even about Sadanand being a kurmi or his future in JDU, this issue is all about educating the common masses of Bihar who are desperately in need of a central university and Nitish is the only hurdle standing in the way of the CUB. And this thing may lead to unintended consequences. This will certainly not lead to what the hon'ble CM hopes to achieve.The physical character of a university is determined by it's geography and Gaya in every way is the right co-ordinate for the CUB. Factually also the culture of Gaya is permeating the globe and the CUB will add to the refinement of the already popular messages emanating from the Godly district. It's about time Nitish stops growing on the division of the innocent Biharis and let them have their share of good education.
Arshad Mohsin
Kuwait
.....................................................................................................
Unbiased reporting is practically not possible. But as a newspaper/reporter, one has to make sure it is not obvious. I just wanted to tell you that slowly BiharTimes is crossing that limit.
I am neither from Gaya nor from Mohihari, so it hardly matter to me where does this Central University finally goes. I also admit that Nitish ji as well as Kapil Sibbal ji, both have points and you have reported it earlier but this article is just trying to show Bihar Government in poor light without any substance.
I expressed what I felt which itself can be biased. It is your newspaper and you are better person to decide what is best for your site! My job is to give feedback only.
|
|
