The Karnataka authorities on Monday triggered a political row within the state with its determination to construct 8,000 saffron-coloured lecture rooms within the state below the ‘Viveka’ scheme which goals to switch outdated and non-functional lecture rooms and assemble new ones.
The scheme was launched by chief minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday on the authorities greater major faculty in Madiyal city of Kalaburagi district.
After the scheme was introduced, the opposition Congress lashed out on the determination to color the lecture rooms saffron. The Bharatiya Janata Celebration (BJP)-led authorities, nonetheless, hit again saying the lecture rooms had been being constructed within the title of Swami Vivekananda — whom the scheme is known as after.
Of the overall 8,000 new lecture rooms being constructed throughout the state, 2,000 are below development in Kalyana Karnataka area, Bommai stated on the faculty as he laid the inspiration for a classroom.
Later, he paid tribute to former prime minister Jawahar Lal Nehru on the event of his beginning anniversary — which can also be noticed as Kids’s Day — on the Vidhana Soudha (secretariat) in Bengaluru. He additionally hit again at Opposition leaders asking them to not politicise all the things.
“There may be saffron color in our Nationwide Flag. Why are they indignant about it? The college buildings are constructed within the title of Swami Vivekananda. Vivekananda was a monk…he wore saffron robes. The phrase Viveka means data for every person. Allow them to be taught,” Bommai stated.
Congress MLA Priyank Kharge slammed the federal government saying its priorities had been misplaced and stated that as a substitute of specializing in lack of primary infrastructure, it’s portray faculties saffron. “Crumbling infrastructure, scarcity of academics, enhance in dropouts, no textbooks, no uniforms, no noon meals, studying has dropped, however authorities is inquisitive about portray faculties saffron,” Kharge stated.
State schooling minister B C Nagesh responded saying the Congress itself had saffron in its flag. “Some persons are allergic to saffron. Even of their (Congress) flag there’s saffron, why they’ve stored it? As an alternative, take away it and make it inexperienced fully,” Nagesh stated.
Chatting with reporters on Sunday, Nagesh had introduced the choice to color the lecture rooms saffron saying it was primarily based on the architect’s suggestions.
“Is one thing unsuitable with it? Isn’t saffron a color? If architects counsel saffron color, we’ll paint it. The federal government won’t resolve how home windows, doorways and steps must be. We have now architects with us and we’ll resolve primarily based on their suggestions,” Nagesh had stated responding to a query.
Specialists additionally expressed apprehension over the federal government’s determination saying the main focus must be on bettering the present infrastructure of faculties and filling vacancies.
“Colleges don’t require color. They require academics amongst different issues,” stated Professor of schooling, BR Gopal.
“Portray the faculties saffron doesn’t do a lot to enhance them. One has to comply with the ideas of Vivekananda. He is a superb man who has achieved loads and unfold his message not solely in India, however overseas as effectively,” he added.
“The federal government ought to first fill the vacancies for academics in faculties. Their predominant work must be to show correctly,” the educationist stated.
“In fact, there’s nothing unsuitable with educating within the title of Vivekananda. Colleges belong to all people and are centres of studying for youngsters the place there isn’t any room for any caste, neighborhood or creed. There may be the place all-round improvement occurs and therefore, faculties must be refrained from political actions,” he remarked.