NEW DELHI: Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for their alleged interference in the Indian government. higher education system and claimed that the UGC budget has been cut by a whopping 61%.
He questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the suspension of National Talent Search Exam (NTSE), which had been active since 1963.
“BJP-RSS is constantly attacking higher education in India,” Kharge posted on As revealed by newspapers, this scheme, which has been in operation since 1963, should have amounted to Rs 40 million, but Rs 62 million has been spent on it. PM. Modi’s public relations.
The Congress leader expressed concern over the new draft UGC regulations, particularly in relation to the increased authority given to governors to appoint university vice-chancellors. He considered this to be a violation of the autonomy of the State.
“The UGC Draft Rule 2025 gives governors extensive control over appointments of vice-chancellors and allows non-academics to hold these posts, which is a direct attack on federalism and state rights. The BJP-RSS wants only venture capitalists from Sangh Parivar are appointed,” Kharge said.
The Congress chief highlighted the shift in university funding from UGC to HEFA, a partnership between the Ministry of Education and Canara Bank. He argued that this change would negatively affect students from SC, ST, OBC and EWS communities.
The Congress president explained that universities may need to introduce more self-financed courses due to this new funding structure, which could create financial difficulties for students from marginalized backgrounds.
He concluded by stating that the current government is restricting university autonomy and implementing the Manuwadi ideology of RSS in public education, thereby putting the youth at a disadvantage.