Karnataka govt plans to merge BJP-established universities with parent institutions, says Deputy CM

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar addressed the state assembly on March 6, saying that the government plans to merge universities established during the BJP tenure with their parent institutions.

Shivakumar, who leads a Cabinet subcommittee reviewing the status of public universities, made the announcement during a discussion on the Governor's address.

"We are just merging universities because they are not viable," he said.

The Deputy CM said lecturers are not willing to attend the new universities, pointing out that there are differences between earning a degree from Mysuru University and the new Chamarajanagar University.

"Lecturers aren't willing to go to the new universities. We can only merge them... You (BJP) divide; we (Congress) unite. That's the difference between you and us," he said.

Reports state that at least nine additional institutions are being considered, including the Maharani cluster, Koppal, Bagalkot, Haveri, Kodagu, Hassan, Chamarajanagar, Nrupathunga, and Mandya.

Higher Education Minister M C Sudhakar said earlier in the day that there is now no need for concern because a definitive decision about new universities has not yet been made. He was answering an MLA's question.

"The cabinet sub committee's final report has not yet come before the cabinet. There is no clarity in the Cabinet on what decision should be made. Based on certain media reports, protests are happening," said Sudhakar.

"Several conditions were imposed; they couldn't even purchase vehicles or land and hire faculty members," the minister added, pointing out that the previous BJP government established seven universities with a little ₹2 crore each.

When these universities were founded, they claimed to be the first to offer digital learning.

But the Congress government was branded as "anti-education" by the opposition BJP.

According to BJP MLA and former Higher Education Minister C N Ashwath Narayan, these universities are crucial.

He added that, in accordance with the legislation, only the governor, in his capacity as chancellor, may examine universities.