Akalis Back Bill Axing Panjab Guv's Powers As Chancellor Of Varsities

In what would amount to further politicisation of educational institutions, yet another State has enacted law removing the Governor as the Chancellor of the universities in that State. The Punjab Legislative Assembly has passed the Punjab University Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023, vesting the powers of the Chancellor of State universities with the Chief Minister.

Opposition BJP has, however, lambasted the Aam Admi Party (AAP) government for the move. Party general secretary Tarun Chugh said Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has undermined the constitutional principles and brought shame on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar by removing Governor Banwarilal Purohit from the position of Chancellor of all the State universities.

Interestingly enough, Akali legislators supported the government on this front. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), with its three MLAs, also voted in favour of the Bill along side 92 AAP MLAs in the 117-member House. This has further isolated BJP in the State politics and also jeopardised the chance of reviving its alliance with SAD.

The government's move comes in the backdrop of a simmering tussle between CM Mann and Governor Banwarilal Purohit over a number of issues for the past several months, even after the Supreme Court counselled both to uphold their respective constitutional protocols.

Summarising the debate on the floor of the House yesterday, CM Mann said the State had its own rich culture, traditions and heritage which need to be perpetuated among the younger generations. For this, the educational institutions, especially the universities, could play a vital role. Mann recalled how the universities had produced great intellectuals, artists and other eminent people in various fields.

To carry forward the legacy, men of high integrity, prudence and repute need to be appointed in the universities as Vice-Chancellors, he said, alleging that the Governor, who is not from the State and not aware of its history and culture, created unnecessary hurdles in it. Expressing surprise that a man who "knows nothing about the State" has been empowered to appoint the Vice-Chancellors, Mann dubbed it as 'unfair', reported the Tribune.

The Chief Minister further alleged that contrary to securing the interests of the state, the Governor was often seen on the other side. Raising the issue of Panjab University in Chandigarh, he said instead of safeguarding the interests of Punjab and Punjabis, the Governor was taking the stand in favour of Haryana to allow its entry in the Senate of the university.

Mann said on the lines of the Bill already passed by West Bengal, the government had formulated the Bill which would entrust the powers of the Chancellor of the universities with the Chief Minister. He said with the passage of this Act, the Chief Minister, not the Governor, would be the Chancellor.

He said no interference of the Governor was required in the day-to-day functioning of the affairs of the State. The government was committed to securing the interests of Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiyat, adding that no stone would be left unturned for this noble cause. Mann said the government would take every step to restore the pristine glory of the State.