Students of Bangalore University (BU) have alleged that the ruling BJP government is trying to saffronise the university campus by allowing the construction of a Ganesh temple inside the campus.
The students have been protesting against the construction for the last three days. The matter took a serious turn when the university authorities lodged a police complaint against the protesting students.
Bangalore University Vice Chancellor Dr Jayakara Shetty has said that the decision to build the temple was not taken during his tenure. “The decision was taken earlier and the construction work has started now. Students cannot protest in the matter of the temple.
Shetty had directed the construction work of the temple to be stopped in the backdrop of the students’ protest. However, when the construction work continued, he visited the spot and stopped the work.
Students and organisations, including the Post Graduation and Research Students Federation, have warned the university authorities that they will file a police complaint against them if they continue with the construction of the temple. Student unions are also angry at the police filing a police complaint against them for attempting to protect university property.
The agitating students alleged that it was an attempt to saffronise the campus and implement a “hidden agenda” by the ruling BJP. The students said that the UGC guidelines and legislation did not allow the construction of religious places of worship like temples, churches and mosques.
University officials said the Ganesh temple, which was near the entrance, was demolished a few years ago for road widening. The Bangalore University then entered into an agreement with the BBMP to shift the temple to its campus.
source in high education The department said the temple complex would be built at any cost and the protest was a part of a conspiracy by opposition parties and anti-Hindu forces. However, hundreds of students were openly challenging that they would not allow the temple to enter the campus.
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