Patriotism, not politics: Javadekar on UGC's 'Surgical Strike Day' notification
What's the story
HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said today that a University Grants Commission's communication asking varsities to celebrate the anniversary of surgical strikes is "patriotism, not politics" and it is not compulsory for institutes to organize it. With opposition leaders accusing the government of politicizing surgical strikes, Javadekar, a senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, rejected their criticism as "absolutely ridiculous and false". Here's more.
Advisory
UGC's circular is advisory, not a direction: Javadekar
Javadekar said that the ruling BJP differed with the Congress as it only gave advise to institutes to follow a program while the Congress made following its decisions compulsory when it was in power. "Where is politics? This is not politics but patriotism," he said, adding that students needed to be informed about the surgical strikes, and military and civil works soldiers do.
Who suggested?
Students, institutes suggested to celebrate Surgical Strike Day: Javadekar
Javadekar claimed that students and institutes had made suggestions that the second anniversary of surgical strikes, which Army had carried across the border in Pak-occupied-Kashmir on September 29 in 2016, should be commemorated. Colleges have been asked to organize parades by NCC and lectures by ex-army officers. Asked why it wasn't commemorated last year, he said a good suggestion can be executed anytime.
Information
UGC asked varsities to observe Surgical Strike Day
The University Grants Commission (UGC) had yesterday directed varsities and higher education institutions across the country to observe September 29 as "Surgical Strike Day".