University Ordinance draws MS varsity flak

The Cabinet's approval of the draft Gujarat State University Ordinance 2004 has ruffled many a feather in the Vadodara-based Maharaja Sayajirao University (MS University). The ordinance, if enacted, will bring all the seven universities in the state under a common act.

For the past two years, the state government was tinkering with the idea of enacting a common act for all the universities, which currently are governed by separate acts, for uniformity in structure and operations.

Senate members, student bodies and alumni of MS University have expressed displeasure over the government's move to bring their university under a common universities act. "MS University is the university in the state where we have English as a medium of instruction. Falling under common act means nothing but loosing your independence and identity.

"Moreover, the state government has not taken the opinion of any of the authority of the university," said Rajkumar Hans, a history professor and activist.

The MS University is the only university in the state which has a 'residential status'.

The chancellor of the university comes from the royal family of Gaekwad unlike in the case of other universities where the state governor holds that position.

Narendra Ravat, a senate member of MS University, said: "MS University has a distinct status in India with its illustrious history. Maharaja Gaekwad had given his land and properties to create the education campus of his dreams.

So it is sad that the state government has taken this decision without taking Mrunalidevi Puar, the Chancellor, in confidence." Most of the students associations, including National Students Union of India and All India Students' Democratic Organisation, are protesting against the common universities act.

Even some members of Akhil Bhrtiya Vidyarthi Parishad, a student body of Bhartiya Janata Party, are dissatisfied with the proposal but are not coming out it the open.