No politics on education: Speaker

‘The day I realize that I have failed in maintaining the dignity of the Speaker’s chair, I will quit the chair without any thought’

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, March 30: Assam Assembly Speaker Hitendra th Goswami on Friday urged everyone, particularly legislators, to desist from making politics on education issues.

Goswami’s appeal came a day after he asserted in the Assembly on Thursday that the present academic status of Assam Women’s University (AWU) would be protected. The House on Thursday witnessed a ruckus with MLAs from both ruling and opposition benches engaging themselves in mudslinging over the ongoing AWU turmoil.

“The present status of AWU will remain intact and there will be no dilution. The idea of making AWU an affiliating university as suggested by Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is a nice one. The government might have to amend the present law to make necessary changes in the functioning of AWU. But the higher education status of the university will not be jeopardized,” Goswami said, adding that education must be kept above all politics.

Responding to the issue of changing his ruling of not allowing discussion on AWU in the Assembly on Thursday, Goswami said his ego cannot be bigger than the august House. He said since everyone in the House wanted a discussion on AWU on Thursday, he had to amend his ruling.

Goswami, however, clarified that he would never compromise on the rules and regulations of the House when it came to taking any decision irrespective of parties and individuals. “The day I realize that I have failed in maintaining the dignity of the Speaker’s chair, I will quit the chair without any thought,” he said.