Bid to affiliate Hry colleges with PU RSS ploy, claims SAD

Chandigarh: The SAD on Friday said Haryana’s move to affiliate its colleges with Panjab University, Chandigarh, was a “BJP-RSS ploy” to take control over the institution and use it to dilute Punjab’s unique history and culture.The SAD also took on chief minister Bhagwant Mann for collaborating with the BJP in the “sinister” move to rob Panjab University of its autonomy and dilute Punjab’s right over Chandigarh.“Chief minister Bhagwant Mann did not object to the Haryana CM’s presence in a meeting called by the governor with regard to Panjab University, knowing fully well that Haryana does not have any stake in Panjab University after the voluntary disaffiliation of its colleges from the university in 1978,” said general secretary Parambans Romana.He further said Mann also remained a mute spectator to the suggestions of the Punjab governor that colleges of Haryana be re-affiliated to Panjab University. “The final nail in the coffin was the Haryana CM’s assertion that the suggestions were taken in a positive spirit by Mann,” said the Akali leader. Panjab University is the only autonomous university in the country which has democratically elected governing bodies in the senate and the syndicate, said Romana, adding that the present Panjab University administration had tried to change the existing system but the move was resisted by the SAD.