Odisha refuses to display PM’s speech at colleges, varsities tomorrow; BJP cries foul

Bhubaneswar: Refusing to act on a directive issued by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to make arrangement for display of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech at educational institutions on occasion of centenary celebrations of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya and 125th anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s address at Chicago World’s Parliament of Religions tomorrow, the State government today said the instruction cannot be carried out as situation at colleges and universities is already tense ahead of campus polls.

The State’s Higher Education Minister Ananta Das said, “As campus poll fever is already setting in across colleges and university premises, display of the Prime Minister’s speech cannot be allowed. Besides, the government is wondering why Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya got priority over Swami Vivekananda.”

Expressing similar views Opposition leader Narasingha Mishra said, “I completely agree with the State government as far as this issue is concerned. No educational institution should be forced to listen to a particular political party’s leader.”

Meanwhile, BJP cried foul following the State government’s decision and said the ruling party is playing dirty politics over the whole episode.

BJP spokesperson Golak Mohapatra said, “The State took the decision to serve its political interests,” adding that campus polls are not being held at all educational institutions in the State.

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