UGC to Maharashtra colleges: Encourage students to take part in ABVP founder’s birth centenary events

It refers to a letter by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, addressed to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. In his letter, Gadkari said that various programmes are being organised to remember Didolkar’s contributions to youths and a souvenir booklet is going to be published on him. A brochure of the plan was attached with the letter.

Yuva Sena, youth wing of Shiv Sena (UBT), took objection to the letter. Former Mumbai University senate member from Yuva Sena, Pradeep Sawant, shared that Yuva Sena objects that the apex regulatory body of higher education — UGC — has issued such a letter.

Urging withdrawal of the letter, Sawant said, “We are not against celebrating a birth centenary… But it should be done by the political party and RSS with their own funds. It should not be imposed on colleges and universities. The programme is going to be held in Nagpur. Then why are letters issued to all higher education institutions in Maharashtra?”

Amit Dhomse, head of ABVP Konkan region, said, “Dattaji Didolkar has made great contributions in social and education fields. He was at the forefront of the struggle for the construction of the Vivekananda Memorial. Celebrating the birth centenary year of such social activists has been our culture. Yuva Sena should study the educational and social contribution of Didolkar without bringing politics into anything.”