UGC asks universities to celebrate 'Surgical Strike Day' on September 29; draws political row

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has written to the Vice-Chancellors of all universities to celebrate Surgical Strike Day on September 29 to mark the second anniversary of the 2016 event along the Line of Control conducted by Indian Army against terrorist in Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

UGC said in a communication to all Vice Chancellors on Thursday, "The NCC units of all universities should organise a special parade on September 29 after which the NCC commander shall address them on the modalities of protection of the borders. The varsities may organise talk-session calling ex-servicemen to sensitize

students about sacrifices made by the armed forces."

“A multimedia exhibition will be organised around India Gate on September 29. Similar exhibitions may be organised in states, union territories, important towns and cantonments across the country. The institutions should encourage students and faculty members to visit these exhibitions,” the letter further added.

Union Education Minister Prakash Javadekar by supporting the cause of the event said, "We have not made any compulsion neither to the institutes nor to the students. We have issued a program because it was a suggestion by many students and teachers."

Moreover, the letter also informed the students that the students should pledge their support for the armed forces by writing letters and cards, which might be produced in both physical and digital format. These letters of support, it said, would be publicised in the conventional and social media.

During the event, an Indian Army team crossed the Line of Control and demolished terrorist launchpads on September 29, 2016. Indian Army's this move came as an aftermath when several Indian jawans were martyred in a pre-dawn attack on the Army headquarters in Uri.

According to a report by DNA in the meantime, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has planned a three-day celebration from 28-30 September in place to mark the second anniversary of the surgical strike. Modi is expected to attend the festivities and celebrations at India Gate

However, West Bengal is opposing this Centre's move and the state's Minister Partha Chatterjee dubbed it as BJP's "agenda" and slammed BJP for "malign and politicise" the Army.

Chatterjee said, "This is an agenda of the BJP and it is trying to push this agenda by using the UGC ahead of elections. It is a matter of shame that they are using the UGC to achieve their political agenda,"

West Bengal nevertheless, decided not to celebrate the Surgical Strike Day. Former HRD MInister Kapil Sibbal also questioned this move as BJP's political ends.