Sri Vijaya Puram, July 30: Shri TSG Bhasker, Chairman, Campaign Committee, ANTCC, has submitted a representation to the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor strongly objecting to the proposed Draft Andaman & Nicobar Islands Private University Regulation, 2026.
In his representation, Shri Bhasker stated that the proposed legislation has created widespread concern among students, parents, teachers, and the general public. He emphasized that the long-standing aspiration of the islanders is the establishment of a Central University offering affordable, quality, and nationally recognized higher education, rather than the privatization of the education system.
He pointed out that students of A&N Islands had been on protest for nearly two months against the Deemed University proposal, including a massive Andaman Bandh by the general public and candlelight vigils. Introducing a Private University Regulation without addressing these concerns, he said, has further intensified public resentment.
He further stated that the student movement at Jantar Mantar has exposed serious shortcomings in the country’s education system and demonstrated that today’s Gen Z is prepared to organize peaceful and democratic movements whenever issues affecting their education and future remain unresolved.
Bhasker questioned the necessity of introducing private universities without conducting or publishing any feasibility study, enrolment projections, fee structure, or details of sponsors. He also raised concerns over the protection of Government colleges infrastructure, transparency in the selection process, and the possibility of RSS ideological influence in higher education.
The representation further called for re-affiliation of Government colleges to Pondicherry University, wider public consultation on the proposed legislation, and an extension of the objection period.
He urged the Administration to keep the proposed Regulation in abeyance until comprehensive consultations are held and all related studies and policy documents are made public. He reiterated that a Central University would better serve the educational and developmental aspirations of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Bhasker expressed hope that the concerns of the islanders would receive due consideration before any final decision is taken on the proposed Regulation.