Student bodies call Edu minister 'irresponsible'
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 18 2023: Deeply hurt by the words of the education minister who reportedly said that the agitation by the students over the DM university issue is nothing but instigation from others and that the education minister has nothing to do with the issue, six student bodies of the state have dubbed the education minister as 'irresponsible' and challenged him to an open debate on the issue.

In a release, All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU), Manipuri Students' Federation (MSF), Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM), Students' Union Kangleipak (SUK) and Apunba Ireipak-ki Maheiroi Singpang Lup (AIMS) made it clear that the agitation launched by the students against the lackadaisical attitude of the government towards converting DM university into a full-fledged university even after lapse of 5 years, was never backed nor instigated by any individual or organisation but it is a protest against the irresponsible attitude of the education minister and the commissioner.

Stating that the education minister needs to understand that DM university is a long pending issue, the student bodies pointed out that government is a continuum process and so, the works done by one government are followed by the next government that come to power.

"The education minister exclaiming that DM university issue is not his as he is in charge for only a six month, is unbecoming of a responsible minister and never expected by the 6 student bodies.

Equating the education minister to a person with no basic historical background of Manipuri society, the bodies asserted that there are basic reasons as to why the students resort to various forms of agitation despite knowing the fact that many students in the past have been victims of torture and imprisonment in the hands of the state machineries.

"Instead of deeply pondering on the reasons behind launching the agitation, the minister terming the students' act as following instigations from others is very unfortunate.

It is not us who are provoked but the minister himself".

Enquiring whether demanding for recruitment of teachers and granting full-fledged university status to DM University is going against the government, the student bodies further made it clear that there is nothing to gain for them in pressuring the government to fulfil these demands.

"We would have claimed the same demands had any person, animal or thing held the position of the education minister".

Regarding the contention of the minister that the issue has evolved of late, the six student bodies challenged for an open debate and asked the education minister to name the day, time and place.

The six student bodies also reminded the education minister that they, students, and the public have been cautiously examining the education system of the state and the agitations launched against the system are only to make it vibrant and student oriented.

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