Congress pushes saffron agenda in Madhya Pradesh

Bhopal: In a role reversal, the Congress government in Madhya Pradesh has directed heads of government and private educational institutions in the state to promote Indian culture, traditions and values, besides reining in political activities in their campuses.

The order issued by state higher education department to all government and aided colleges and universities in MP has taken academicians here by surprise since the ruling Congress in the past had opposed similar steps undertaken by the previous Shivraj Singh Chouhan government describing it as an attempt to saffronise education in the state.

The order issued by the state higher education department a couple of days ago has asked the heads of government and private colleges and universities to undertake programmes and activities to expose students to Indian culture, traditions and moral values and inculcate sense of discipline and nationalism in them.

The heads of the colleges and universities have also been directed to put restrictions on all kinds of political activities including demonstrations and rallies in their campuses and ban political programmes in the institutions.

“Legal actions will be taken against students or organisations indulging in activities causing disruption of education, disrespect to teachers and disturbance to peace in the campuses of colleges and universities”, the order said.

The principals of colleges and universities must ensure the students paid due respect to their teachers and other staff of the institutions, the order said.

“Even an uncharitable remark against a teacher by students will warrant strict actions”, the order said.

The order has also asked the college and university authorities to take appropriate action against those who cause damages to properties of the institutions.