A day after meeting student leaders of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and assuring them of action on alleged administrative irregularities at Shri Ramswaroop Memorial University (SRMU) in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Monday ordered a detailed probe into the recognition and admission processes at all universities, colleges, and educational institutions across the state.
Every Divisional Commissioner — there are 18 divisions in UP — has been directed to constitute a special investigation team to conduct a probe covering institutions in their respective divisions. Each team will have a senior officer from the administration, a police officer, and an officer from the Education department, and will conduct ground-level inspections.
The ABVP was protesting against various alleged irregularities in the varsity, including an “unrecognised” law course. The protesting students had accused the university of jeopardising their future by enrolling them in a programme that did not have recognition from the Bar Council of India. Police had lathicharged demonstrators, leaving several students injured. ABVP called off its protest after meeting the chief minister on Sunday.
According to instructions issued by the government following the CM’s directive, every institution will be required to submit an affidavit declaring that it is offering only those courses duly recognised by the relevant regulatory authority, university, or board.
Additionally, institutions must provide a complete list of courses being offered along with their recognition certificates.
The SIT will recommend strict action if it finds illegal admissions or unrecognised courses. Such institutions will also be required to refund the entire fee collected from students, along with interest.
The investigation process will commence immediately. Each district is directed to complete the inquiry and submit a consolidated report to the government within 15 days.
The Chief Minister has also emphasised that no student should be enrolled in any unrecognised course. The government has made it clear that the future of students will not be compromised under any circumstances.
Stressing that this action is not a mere formality but a matter directly linked to students’ futures and the quality of education, the Chief Minister has instructed Divisional Commissioners to monitor the entire process personally. He also issued strict directions to officials, making it clear that negligence or laxity at any level will not be tolerated.
The agitation had taken a political turn after BJP ally, Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief Om Prakash Rajbhar, who is also a cabinet minister, compared the ABVP to ‘goondas’. ABVP workers had then burnt an effigy of Rajbhar while protesting outside his house and demanding an apology. The
The Samajwadi Party and Congress had called it an attack on the OBC community.
Following the lathicharge, Adityanath ordered the removal of the Circle Officer concerned and asked Ayodhya’s Divisional Commissioner, Rajesh Kumar, to look into allegations over the “validity” of degrees from SRMU. The Barabanki district administration also demolished a building on the SMRU campus, saying it was illegally constructed on government land.
The probe into allegations that the law course is being run without the required certification from the regulatory authority is still underway. The inquiry has been assigned to the Divisional Commissioner of Ayodhya.
