Union govt more interested in show-off: Akhilesh Yadav

Lucknow, June 25: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday attacked the Centre for delay in according central varsity status to Varanasi-based Sampoornand University saying those who have to do so were more interested in show off.

"We can only recommend to the Centre to accord central university status to the Sanskrit university but it is an altogether different thing that those who have to do so are more interested in show off," Yadav said in reference to the demand for granting Sampoornand University in Varanasi the status of a central university.

Speaking at the function to felicitate Sanskrit language scholars at his official residence here, he, however, assured that if the Centre wanted to set up a new university, the state government would make the land available.

He promised that his government would do whatever needed for progress and development of Sanskrit language and stressed that majority of those who were felicitated today belonged to the Gangetic plains.

Lauding the achievement of Mariyam Siddiqui, a Muslim girl who won the Gita Champions League contest organised by ISKCON, Yadav said she has been awarded at several places and the Prime Minister also felicitated her.

"But it is another thing that what UP does, Centre follows us and does the same thing. Not just in your case but in several other cases as well. What you have done boosts brotherhood and unity in society," Yadav said referring to Mariyam.

Yadav, who presented the state's most prestigious award to Sankrit scholars, recalled how his father and former Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav had worked for promotion of all Indian languages during his rule.

"Netaji (Mulayam Singh) worked for all Indian languages, Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit as all languages unify people. Languages are used for achieving prosperity and development," Yadav said.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister also recalled that earlier Samajwadi Party government had started pension scheme for those who were jailed during Emergency. But it was stopped by subsequent governments.

So, for safeguarding the interest and rights of 'loktantantra rakshak senani', a law would be enacted to ensure that they are not harmed in future, Yadav added.

PTI