MANDI: Sardar Patel University at Mandi in Himachal Pradesh has once again become the epicentre of controversy as the ongoing political rivalry between Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and his predecessor Jai Ram Thakur and current has pushed the institution to the brink of closure, jeopardising the future of thousands of students.
In a recent development, the Congress government has decided to hand over a Rs 15 crore building of the university, located at Sundernagar, to private institute MLSM College. The Director of Higher Education issued a letter to the university’s registrar, instructing the immediate transfer of the building to MLSM College.
The letter mentions that while the building was constructed for the university and has been ready since 2020, it remained unused. However, the university administration has strongly opposed the decision, labelling it as “unfair” and “detrimental to students’ interests”.
University officials decry decision
Terming the move “unfortunate and unconstitutional,” Pro-Vice Chancellor Anupama Singh expressed her dismay, saying, “This building is not vacant. It serves as the university’s examination centre, storing essential material for exams conducted across 46 affiliated colleges. Staff is also stationed there and we were preparing to commence classes shortly.”
She alleged that the state government had been systematically sidelining the university. “We have poured our hearts into building this institution from the ground, yet the government continues to treat it unfairly. This is not just an attack on the university but also on the future of thousands of students,” she said.
Highlighting the ongoing renovation of the building under the Rs 20-crore PM-Usha scheme, she said, “Handing over the building to a private college is unacceptable. If this trend continues, the government might allocate other university buildings in Basa and Gohar, each worth Rs 15 crore, to private entities, leaving the university crippled.”
Singh accused the government of reducing the university’s funding from Rs 1 crore, disaffiliating more than half of its associated colleges, halting recruitments and blocking the launch of new courses.
Vice-Chancellor calls for accountability
University Vice-Chancellor Lalit Awasthi, upon returning from an official trip, expressed his concerns. “If the notification is indeed true, I will demand that the government provide an alternative building or sufficient funds to construct a new one. The university cannot function without adequate resources,” he said.
Awasthi also pointed fingers at internal politics within the university. “Some individuals with vested interests have turned the university into a hub of politics, undermining its progress and the students’ future. Before blaming the government, we must address these internal issues.”
Over 35,000 students studying in university
Sardar Patel University currently caters to nearly 1,000 postgraduate students, with an additional 35,000 students connected through affiliated colleges. The potential closure of the university poses a grave risk to their academic and professional futures.
