Sri Vijaya Puram, Feb 23: Over the past 20 days, the student movement in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands has intensified. The core demand of the protest is the removal of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Institute of Higher Learning (Deemed to be University) and the establishment of a full-fledged Central University in the Islands.
In this context, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has issued a clear statement asserting that it strongly opposes any individual or group that stands against the demand for a Central University. The organisation further emphasized that politicisation of such a serious educational issue will not be tolerated under any circumstances.According to ABVP representatives, the Islands are geographically isolated, forcing students to depend heavily on mainland India for higher education opportunities. In such a scenario, the Deemed to be University model has not met the aspirations and academic expectations of the students. ABVP maintains that only a strong and fully functional Central University can provide youth in the Islands with national-level academic standards, research facilities, and enhanced employment opportunities.
The organisation has alleged that certain political and administrative sections are deliberately attempting to mislead the public and divert attention from the core issue. ABVP categorically stated that it will democratically and ideologically oppose any attempt to politicise the matter.
For the past 20 days, students from various colleges have been conducting peaceful protests, rallies, and memorandum campaigns. They have maintained that their demand is solely for securing the long-term educational future of the Islands.
ABVP has urged the administration to respect the sentiments of the students, immediately halt the Deemed to be University arrangement, and initiate concrete steps toward establishing a Central University at the earliest. It has also demanded that all seven colleges in the Islands be re-affiliated with Pondicherry University until a full-fledged Central University is established.
The movement continues, and student organisations have indicated that if their demands are not addressed promptly, the agitation will be intensified further.
