Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has launched a scathing critique of the BJP and RSS, accusing them of undue interference in higher education and undermining academic autonomy. Kharge also alleged that the government has slashed the University Grants Commission (UGC) budget by a staggering 61%, raising concerns about the future of India’s higher education system.
Speaking at a public event, Kharge claimed, “The BJP and RSS are systematically destroying the foundations of higher education in India. Their interference is turning educational institutions into ideological battlegrounds instead of spaces for learning and innovation.”
Highlighting the alleged budget cuts, Kharge stated that such measures could significantly hamper research opportunities, faculty development, and infrastructure improvement across universities. “Cutting the UGC budget by 61% is a direct attack on the aspirations of millions of students and the autonomy of our institutions,” he added.
Kharge also accused the BJP-led government of promoting a partisan agenda in educational policies, asserting that this approach erodes India’s academic excellence and global competitiveness. “Education should empower minds, not serve political motives,” he remarked.
The BJP has yet to respond to these allegations, but the issue has reignited debates on education funding and the role of political ideologies in shaping academic institutions. With the general elections on the horizon, higher education could emerge as a critical point of contention in the political discourse.
