All central universities to fly Indian national flag atop 207 ft mast

Surajkund (Haryana)

All 46 Central Universities will fly the tricolour atop a 207-feet tall flag mast “prominently and proudly” on their campuses to signify a “strong India” and the first will be hoisted at JNU, a resolution adopted at a meeting chaired by HRD Minister Smriti Irani said today.

“At a central place in every university, the national flag will be flown prominently and proudly,” the resolution passed at a meeting Irani had with the Vice Chancellors of Central universities, said.

The decision came in the midst of raging row over JNU students holding anti-India event and chanting anti-India slogans.

The proposal for hoisting the national tricolour atop a 207-feet pole was put forward by Irani and unanimously endorsed by all the 46 Vice Chancellors, HRD officials said. She also put forth the proposal for hoisting the first such flag at JNU, which too was backed by all the VCs, they said.

Officials in HRD Ministry said as per the resolution all the central universities, including JNU, will have to fly the tricolor and the decision was taken to “symbolise a strong and united India” in the institutions of higher education.

At the meeting several important aspects related to higher education, including the implementation of 2012 UGC regulations by varsities for promoting equity and addressing grievances of Scheduled Caste and Schedule Tribe students discussed.

The move not surprisingly drew a sharp reaction from the Congress which said nationalism doesn’t mean hoisting the flag and singing Vande Mataram and that it should be reflected in one’s belief in the Constitution. CPM leader Brinda Karat also slammed government for the decision.

“Nationalism just doesn’t mean hoisting the flag and singing Vande Mataram. It is about showing your belief in the Constitution, it is about showing respect to the institutions which have made the country a democratic set up,” Congress’ R P N Singh said.

Congress had also opposed police action after anti-India and pro-terrorists slogans in JNU campus.