https://educationtoday.co/blog/blog-details?id=2873&url=BJP-Criticizes-Karnataka-Government%E2%80%99s-Proposal-to-Merge-New-Universities-with-Parent-Institutions *BJP Criticizes Karnataka Government’s Proposal to Merge New Universities with Parent Institutions* The Karnataka government’s proposal to merge nine newly established universities back into their parent institutions has sparked a political controversy, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) strongly opposing the move. Former higher education minister and BJP MLA CN Ashwath Narayan, who played a key role in the establishment of seven of these universities, has condemned the state government’s plan, calling it an unfair decision that undermines higher education accessibility and autonomy. The Controversy Surrounding the University Mergers The universities under consideration for the merger include: 1. Chamarajanagar University 2. Haveri University 3. Hassan University 4. Kodagu University 5. Koppal University 6. Bagalkote University 7. Mandya University 8. Maharani Cluster University 9. Nrupathunga University Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar stated on Friday that the cabinet will take a final decision on the continuation or closure of these universities. He justified the proposal by pointing out that the previous BJP-led government had established these universities without allocating appropriate land and grants as per the required norms. “The students of Mandya and Chamarajanagar district, in particular, have expressed their preference for continuing their higher education under Mysore University rather than under the newly established universities. As a result, enrollment in these new universities has dropped significantly, and an internal report from these institutions has confirmed this trend,” Shivakumar explained. BJP’s Opposition to the Proposal BJP MLA CN Ashwath Narayan has strongly opposed the government’s move, arguing that every district deserves an independent university to promote regional development and improve higher education standards. “The government needs to understand that education should be a top priority. Each district should have its own university to ensure accessibility and academic autonomy. By claiming that these universities are not viable or necessary, they are displaying a lack of vision for the future of higher education,” he said. Narayan also pointed out that universities function best when they have autonomy in administration and governance. He emphasized that merging these institutions back into their parent universities could limit their ability to develop specialized academic programs and cater to local educational needs. Financial and Administrative Challenges Higher Education Minister MC Sudhakar cited financial and administrative challenges as key reasons for the proposed merger. He noted that maintaining a university requires significant funding, stating, “A university requires approximately Rs 347 crore over five years to function effectively. The establishment of new universities has negatively impacted the existing ones, leading to a decline in academic quality and administrative discipline.” Sudhakar stressed that the government’s priority is to restore quality in higher education. “We are conducting a thorough evaluation of the situation, and no final decision has been made yet,” he added. Implications for Students and Faculty The possible merger of these universities raises concerns about the future of students currently enrolled in these institutions. If the plan moves forward, students may have to transition back to parent universities, which could disrupt their academic progress. Faculty members and staff working at the new universities may also face uncertainties regarding their employment and administrative restructuring. Supporters of the merger argue that it could enhance the quality of education by consolidating resources and faculty expertise within fewer institutions. However, critics believe that the move could hinder higher education expansion, limit access for students in rural districts, and stifle the autonomy of these universities. Conclusion The Karnataka government’s decision on the fate of these nine universities remains pending, with deliberations ongoing. While the government justifies the potential mergers on financial and administrative grounds, the BJP and other critics argue that closing these institutions could be detrimental to higher education in the state. As discussions continue, the future of these universities and the students they serve hangs in the balance.