Amid tussle, Kejriwal, L-G jointly inaugurate new GGSIPU campus
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) head and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday jointly inaugurated the East Delhi campus of the Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU) with Lieutenant Governor (L-G) VK Saxena. Prior to the inauguration, both parties accused one another of attempting to take undue credit for the university's new campus, with both stating that they would inaugurate it.
Why does this story matter?
The inauguration of GGSIPU's new campus has become the latest flashpoint between Saxena and the AAP-led Delhi government. On Tuesday, Delhi Education Minister Atishi Marlena announced at a press conference that CM Kejriwal would officially inaugurate GGSIPU's East Delhi campus on Thursday. In response, the lieutenant governor's office stated that Kejriwal was aware that Saxena was scheduled to inaugurate the campus.
Visuals of Kejriwal and Saxena inaugurating new GGSIPU building
'Modi, Modi' slogans interrupt Kejriwal's speech at inaugural event
Reportedly, Thursday's ceremony turned even more controversial after a group of people interrupted Kejriwal's speech with chants of "(Narendra) Modi...Modi," with the ruling AAP accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of creating a ruckus. In a jab at those who interrupted him, Kejriwal stated that if the education system could have been improved by chanting "such slogans," it would have happened 70 years ago.
Details on Kejriwal's address
"I appeal to people from both parties to listen for five minutes. If you do not like my speech, then you can go ahead with the sloganeering later," Kejriwal said, prompting AAP supporters to raise slogans against the saffron brigade. Per reports, Education Minister Atishi, BJP MP Gautam Gambhir, and local legislator OP Sharma were also present at the inauguration.
Video of Kejriwal's response
Sloganeering outside campus between AAP, BJP workers
The AAP also claimed that BJP workers allegedly created a "ruckus" during the program, but the Delhi CM silenced them with his brilliant response. There was also sloganeering outside the campus between AAP and BJP workers while the inauguration event was underway. The IPU campus is part of the three state university campuses being developed in the Jamnapaar/Trans Yamuna region by the Kejriwal-led government.
Key features of GGSIPU's new campus
According to reports, the new GGSIPU campus in Surajmal Vihar has been constructed on 19 acres for a cost of Rs. 388 crore and can house nearly 2,400 students. The central academic block houses the main library, an incubation center, classrooms, a lecture theater, an indoor sports hall, a magnificent auditorium, and a residential complex for students coming from faraway places.
