Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Mar 14: Chief minister Siddaramaiah clarified in the Assembly on Friday that the Karnataka government has not made any decision regarding the closure of universities, as the Cabinet sub-committee report on the matter is yet to be submitted.

Responding to concerns raised by opposition members, Siddaramaiah questioned why the BJP was raising alarm before the report had even been presented. He stated that the sub-committee, led by deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar, was formed to conduct a detailed review and had not yet submitted its findings. Any decision, he added, would be taken only after the report is placed before the Cabinet.

Dismissing claims that a decision had already been made, the chief minister argued that the issue did not warrant discussion under an adjournment motion, as no emergency situation had arisen.

However, leader of the opposition R Ashoka countered that Siddaramaiah’s statement contradicted those made earlier by Shivakumar and higher education minister M C Sudhakar. Ashoka pointed out that Shivakumar had already stated that the government had decided to close newly established universities and that the Cabinet sub-committee had reached a conclusion on the matter.

In response, Siddaramaiah reiterated that no final decision had been made and assured the house that the issue would be deliberated upon in the Cabinet once the report was submitted. He urged Speaker U T Khader not to allow discussion under an adjournment motion, maintaining that the matter had not yet reached the stage of urgent deliberation.

BJP leader Basanagouda Patil Yatnal insisted that the discussion was relevant, as Shivakumar had recently made a statement on the closure of universities. Siddaramaiah, however, stood firm, stating that a debate could only take place once an official decision had been taken.

The controversy stems from the government’s purported plan to close nine of the ten universities established during the BJP’s tenure. Reports suggest that only one of these institutions, Bidar University, is fully functional, while the others—including universities in Hassan, Chamarajanagar, Haveri, Kodagu, Koppal, Bagalkot, the Maharani Cluster in Bengaluru, Mandya, and Nrupatunga—are under review for possible closure.

Bidar University is expected to continue operations, as it has 150 affiliated colleges and generates substantial revenue. Asked whether closures were being considered, Shivakumar had earlier stated that any decision would be made in the best interests of the state, universities, and students.

Meanwhile, the BJP has vowed to oppose any move by the Congress-led government to shut down these institutions.