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Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)

Udupi, Dec 9: “The state government, to appease educational institutions run by minority management, grants minority status to institutions without a single minority student," said Arun Shahapura, former MLA, addressing media in the press meet held at Udupi district BJP office on December 9.

Arun Shahapur, former MLA, expressed strong opposition to recent decisions made by the Karnataka state cabinet, saying, “In the cabinet meeting, the state government has made several decisions, one of which involves exempting minority educational institutions from compulsory admissions. To declare an institution as a minority educational institution, it previously required at least 75 percent of its students to belong to a minority community. During Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri's tenure as Education Minister, when the ‘Right to Education’ (RTE) Act was implemented, minority institutions were exempted from the Act's provisions, as the minority educational institution requested for the exemption. To enjoy the benefit, few institutions declared as minority educational institutions. However, in the recent cabinet decision, the government granted minority status even to institutions without a single minority student, merely because they are run by minority management. In a way to appease the minority educational institution management this decision has been taken. This decision undermines the educational system, disadvantages students seeking admission under reservation, and excludes Dalit students from the benefits, effectively turning education into a business.”

Arun further commented on the convocation at janapada University in Haveri district and said, “MLA Yasir claimed he was not invited to the university's most formal event and resorted to threats and blackmail against the university. I urge the authorities to file a complaint against him for blackmailing the chancellor.”

On the matter of Karnataka State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj University, Arun criticized the government's proposal and stated, "The governor currently serves as chancellor and the Minister of Panchayat Raj as pro-chancellor. However, the state government, driven by political motives, has proposed appointing the Chief Minister as chancellor. This move aims to turn universities into state government departments. I urge all MLAs to oppose this bill in the cabinet."

Addressing financial issues in Public Sector Units (PSUs), Arun remarked, "Out of the 104 PSUs under the Karnataka state government, only 19 are profitable. A conspiracy is underway to transfer nearly Rs 50,000 crore from these profitable units to non-benefiting ones. The government must release a white paper to reveal the truth about this matter."

The press conference was attended by Udupi district BJP president Kishore Kumar Kundapur, general secretary Herga Dinakar Shetty and District media convenor Srinidhi Hegde.