Delhi University’s decision to name a new college after Hindutva icon Veer Savarkar has sparked a heated exchange between the BJP and Congress. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for the college in Najafgarh on Friday.
The Congress’s student wing, NSUI, opposed the move and demanded that the college be named after former PM Manmohan Singh, who passed away last week.
NSUI Pushes for Manmohan Singh’s Name
In a letter to PM Modi, NSUI highlighted Singh’s contributions to India’s education sector. They argued that naming the college after him would better inspire future generations.
“Manmohan Singh established institutions like IITs, IIMs, and AIIMS. He also introduced the Central Universities Act. His reforms transformed the economy in 1991. Naming institutions after him will honor his vision,” the NSUI wrote.
They also urged the government to establish a central university in Singh’s name.
Savarkar College Details
The Veer Savarkar College will be built in Najafgarh at an estimated cost of ₹140 crore. The Delhi University Executive Council approved the decision in 2021.
However, Congress MPs Naseer Hussain and Sukhjinder Randhawa criticized the BJP for glorifying Savarkar.
“The PM should rethink. Savarkar wrote mercy petitions to the British. How can a college be named after him?” said Randhawa.
Hussain also accused the BJP of ignoring freedom fighters while promoting those who had sought favors from colonial rulers.
BJP Defends the Move
The BJP defended the decision to name the college after Savarkar.
“Congress chooses who they respect. But Savarkar was a freedom fighter. If Delhi University honors him, we support it,” said Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva.
BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla also weighed in. He reminded Congress that leaders like Indira Gandhi and Uddhav Thackeray had previously praised Savarkar.
“Were they wrong too?” Poonawalla asked, taking a dig at the opposition.
Political Divide Deepens
The naming of Veer Savarkar College has widened the political divide between the two major parties. While BJP celebrates Savarkar as a freedom fighter, Congress views him as a controversial figure who wrote mercy petitions to British rulers.
The move also comes amid DU’s ongoing political battles, with the Congress-backed NSUI at the helm of the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU).
The clash over Veer Savarkar’s legacy is likely to intensify ahead of upcoming elections.
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