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Patna,(BiharTimes): Even as the controversies revolving around Nalanda International University and Central University of Bihar refuse to die down another one has cropped up in Bihar. This one in Bhagalpur district in the east.
Citizens’ group of the district are upset over the complete neglect of Vikramshila University and over-prominence to Nalanda University by the state government machinery, especially during the Bihar Diwas ceremony. |
In an statement Kahalgaon-based pressure group Vikramshila Nagrik Samity has urged MPs and MLAs from Anga Pradesh––as this part of Bihar is called––to resign over the Nitish Kumar government’s neglect towards Vikramshila University during the centenary celebrations.
It said Vikramshila University was a contemporary of Nalanda University yet it has found no mention anywhere during the Bihar Divas celebrations. A large number of people, comprising intellectuals, social workers and public representatives, criticised the state government for ignoring the ancient world university during the centenary celebrations in Patna.
The Samity members on Wednesday convened an emergency meeting at the residence of activist Srinivash Sinha at Rampur village under Kahalgaon sub-division. It was presided over by Rajnarayan Sinha. It resolved to condemn the “shameful attitude” of the state government towards this ancient university.
The convener of Samity, N K Jaiswal, said that Vikramshila was not only missing from the venue of the celebrations in Patna but the ancient institute did not even find a mention in the state anthem.
“The state public relations department, which has published several hoardings and issued advertisements, did not even bother to mention Vikramshila anywhere,” he was quoted in the Telegraph.
“Even the people’s representatives should feel insulted in the manner the university has been ignored. We appealed to them to raise their voice against the attitude of the government,” he added.
The convener added that the organisation was planning to stage a four-hour dharna at Kahalgaon railway station on March 25, where the people’s representatives would be invited.
Former Speaker of the Assembly and Congress MLA from Kahalgaon Sadanand Singh too condemned the state government for “ignoring” Vikramshila University during the centenary celebration of the statehood.
Aman Kumar Paswan, the BJP MLA from Pirpainty, echoed Singh’s but did not clear his stand on mass resignation.
Pawan Kumar Choudhary, an expert in Vikramshila affairs, also alleged that the state government has ignored the university.
It is not only the people of Bhagalpur, but of other places too, who are upset over the way the officials are giving over-importance to everything related to Nalanda.
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