Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 23: The office bearers of Jammu University Teachers’ Association (JUTA), Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology – Teaching Association Jammu (SKUAST-TAJ), Non-Teaching Associations of Jammu University and SKUAST-Jammu met Devender Singh Rana (Ex – MLA) at his residence today in the form of Joint Action Committee (JAC) and submitted a memorandum demanding withdrawal of JK Public Universities Bill – 2022.
Prof Pankaj Srivastava, president JUTA briefed Rana that erstwhile State Universities have been established through Bills duly passed by the erstwhile State Assembly and this anti-university new Bill will finish the autonomy and individual identity of the existing State Universities of Jammu & Kashmir.
President SKUAST-TAJ, Dr Vikas Sharma informed the BJP leader that provision 71 of the Bill proposes to make all employees and teachers of the universities transferable from one university to another and expressed that universities are research institutions and it takes years for a teacher to set up a laboratory, library or fetch projects and if such a rule is ever made, it will be used to harass anyone who refuses to obey the dictates of the government and bureaucracy.
President JUNTEU, Dr Rakesh Chib pointed out that such Bill will be a blow to University governing bodies and a great interference into the academic / research domains of the varsities. . KD Singh, president NTEA-J, expressed that the proposed Bill will affect the overall growth, progress/functioning of apex academic institutions and it is against the academic freedom of the University.
JACPUB expressed strong resentment over the proposed Bill and demanded immediate withdrawal of the Bill.
After giving a patient hearing to the delegation, Devender Rana said that Universities are the sanctuaries of innovative ideas and new knowledge which need special space to grow and nurture and the leader ensured the JAC members that he will take up the matter with LG, Manoj Sinha regarding the withdrawal of this anti-varsity bill.
The deputation comprised of Dr Ravinder Singh, general secretary JUTA whereas, other office bearers of non-teaching associations namely Varun Dubey, Dheeraj Rajwal, Rajesh Sharma, Zameer- ul- Haq, Arjun Jasrotia, Pankaj Gupta, Ram Singh, Vikram Thakyal also accompanied.