HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday opposed the idea to rename a college which he said was done by the college management and not the government, putting the issue on hold. Raising the issue during the Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, SAD member Naresh Gujral said the "unfortunate" managing committee of the Dyal Singh College recently decided to rename its evening college Vande Mataram Mahavidyalaya. He said he admitted that the words Vande Mataram evoked patriotic fervour in every Indian and the government should set up such universities across the country.
He did, however, add that such a change would directly offend the minority Sikhs in the region."But to change the name of a minority institution is a direct assault on the feelings of Sikhs. I feel this should be condemned," he said, demanding that the committee must be immediately replaced. Javdekar responded by saying that the Centre had nothing to do with the renaming.
"It is not a government decision and the government does not like it. That's why we have asked that the decision be withheld forthwith and an immediate meeting is convened. We don't like it and such a thing will not happen," the minister said. He added that Delhi University, with which the college is affiliated, has also been informed.
"Creating unnecessary controversy by playing with emotions is wrong," he added. Gujral said philanthropist Dyal Singh Majithia had dedicated all his savings and life to education. He had set up several colleges and schools, he said adding that there is a college in Lahore.
