Jammu V-C clarifies campus politics ban is not just for ABVP

JAMMU: Jammu University vicechancellor (V-C) RD Sharma on Tuesday denied the BJP’s allegations that the ABVP – the party’s student wing – has been banned at educational

JAMMU: Jammu University vicechancellor (V-C) RD Sharma on Tuesday denied the BJP’s allegations that the ABVP – the party’s student wing – has been banned at educational institutions in the region, saying it was a blanket rule that applied to groups of all political and religious affiliations.

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Clarifying on the issue, Sharma said, “Jammu University is governed by certain rules. Our norms clearly mention that this campus cannot be used for any religious or political activity.”

Referring to BJP general secretary Ram Madhav’s comments on Sharma’s “obstinate behaviour”, he said, “It seems some disgruntled varsity students gave incorrect information to industries and commerce minister Chander Prakash Ganga and the same was conveyed to Madhav. Unfortunately, nobody sought a clarification from us.”

“We never discourage student bodies from taking up welfare activities on our campuses, but they need to be done as per university norms,” he added.

However, BJP state president Sat Sharma did not agree with the V-C’s reasoning. “Though it is a very good decision to ban political activities on the campus, student bodies – including the ABVP and NSUI – must not be disallowed from holding welfare events and blood donation camps,” he said.