CM Siddaramaiah flags fiscal crisis, low scientific temper in Karnataka universities
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday expressed serious concern over financial distress, low enrolment ratios and the lack of scientific temper in universities, urging Vice-Chancellors to uphold their constitutional responsibility beyond administrative and resource constraints.
Addressing the Vice-Chancellors’ Conference organised by the Department of Higher Education in the presence of Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, he said most universities in the state were struggling financially and required both structural reforms and innovative resource mobilisation.
“Today, most importantly, all universities are facing financial difficulties,” Siddaramaiah said, adding that even the University of Mysore was grappling with serious fiscal stress.
The Chief Minister further said retired employees of the University of Mysore had met him seeking pension support. “They have requested that pensions be provided to the University of Mysore, saying that pension payments are not being made properly.”
The CM had discussed the matter with Higher Education Minister Dr M C Sudhakar and agreed to constitute a committee to examine the issue.
“He suggested that a committee be formed, and that after the committee submits its report, a decision can be taken. I have agreed to this proposal. Let us form a committee,” he said.
Noting that several universities were struggling even to pay salaries, Siddaramaiah said institutions must explore alternative funding sources.
Referring to the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds, the CM said, “There are funds available under CSR, which is backed by central legislation. It is possible to utilise those funds.”
Citing an example, he said Software tycoon Azim Premji had come forward to provide Rs 30,000 per year to eligible students from government institutions through CSR support.
On the access to higher education, the Chief Minister said Karnataka’s Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) stood at around 39 per cent, lower than several southern states and far below many foreign countries.
“If we fail to do so, we cannot increase the GER or ensure that more students graduate,” he said, urging Vice-Chancellors to focus on expanding access.
Emphasising the larger purpose of higher education, Siddaramaiah said, “More and more people must become graduates. When education reaches everyone, national development becomes possible.”
He stressed that universities must build not just degree holders but responsible citizens.
Invoking constitutional values, he said graduates must act in accordance with the Constitution.
Referring to Article 51A, he said it emphasises developing scientific temper and a spirit of inquiry.
“Whatever personal beliefs we may hold, they must be left at home. The Constitution calls for building a casteless and classless society based on social justice. We must conduct ourselves in a constitutional manner,” he said.
The Chief Minister warned that caste conflicts must not be allowed to arise on campuses.
Quoting social reformer Basavanna’s message of equality, he said society had still not achieved a casteless order even after centuries.
He voiced concern that even highly educated individuals often lacked rational thinking.
“Many who have studied BA, BSc, MA, MSc or even PhD have not developed scientific and rational thinking. Not everyone, but many,” he said, adding that this was visible in rural areas where a majority of government university students, nearly 81 per cent, came from lower-income backgrounds.
Calling for deeper academic engagement with social issues, Siddaramaiah said, “If such discussions do not take place in universities, where else will they happen?”
He asserted that education must go beyond securing degrees or jobs and respond to broader societal challenges.
Referring to laws enacted against harmful superstitions, he questioned fatalistic beliefs linked to past-life karma.
“There is no previous birth or next birth. Stating that present suffering is due to past-life karma — can such thinking help us build India? Is that in line with the Constitution?” he asked.
Pointing out that Karnataka has 94 universities, including 43 public universities under different departments, he said the state still lagged behind southern counterparts in enrolment and scientific outlook.
“In terms of rational and scientific thinking, are we ahead? We are not,” he remarked.
Acknowledging resource constraints faced by universities, the CM posed a pointed question: “I understand your problems — resource mobilisation, financial constraints. But my question is: should these limitations prevent us from fulfilling our constitutional responsibility?”
He urged Vice-Chancellors to create campus environments that promote scientific temper, rational thought and social justice, stating that without such efforts, the objectives of the Constitution could not be realised.
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Bengal police examining CCTV footage, multiple teams set up to trace killers of Suvendu's aide
Kolkata (PTI): West Bengal Police are examining CCTV footage and have formed multiple teams to trace the men involved in the killing of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s close aide Chandranath Rath, a senior officer said on Thursday.
Police are also probing whether contract killers were engaged in the murder of Rath, who was shot dead in North 24 Parganas district on Wednesday night.
A forensic team visited the spot on Thursday morning and collected samples, while officers of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) also joined the probe, he said.
"Going by the circumstantial evidence, it seems that the murder was pre-planned. Investigators are examining CCTV footage from the crime spot and nearby areas, while multiple police teams have been formed to trace the assailants," the officer said.
Police, however, are yet to make any arrests in connection with the crime.
According to preliminary information, Rath's car was intercepted near Doharia between Doltala and Madhyamgram Chowmatha around 10.15 pm on Wednesday by motorcycle-borne men who opened fire before fleeing.
"A detailed investigation has begun. We are pursuing several leads," the officer said.
Rath, 42, was returning to his residence in Madhyamgram from Kolkata when the incident occurred, he said. The deceased is survived by his son and wife.
The vehicle was being driven by Buddhadeb Bera, who also sustained bullet injuries and is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Kolkata, another officer said.
Bera, who underwent a couple of surgeries, remained "very critical", sources in the hospital said.
Preliminary findings suggested that the assailants intercepted Rath's vehicle in a coordinated manner before firing multiple rounds from close range, the officer said.
Investigators claimed the vehicle carrying Rath was first blocked near Doharia junction by a small four-wheeler, after which a motorcycle rider approached Rath's car and started firing from close range.
"Rath’s car was intercepted around 100 metres from the housing complex where he lived. The small car came in front of his vehicle, slowing down its pace, and it seems that was when the killers shot him," the officer said.
The occupants of the small four-wheeler later abandoned the vehicle and escaped on motorcycles, police said.
Police suspected that the killers fled on two motorcycles in two directions.
"One probably took the main road towards Jessore Road, while the other took a narrow street on the left leading to Rajarhat," the officer said.
Another police officer said CCTV footage showed the car travelling towards Madhyamgram before the attack.
Investigators said they are taking help from both Kolkata Police and Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate to check CCTV footage installed under their respective jurisdictions and study the movement of the killers.
"The number plate attached to the small car left by the assailants was found to be fake. It belongs to a person based in Siliguri, who works in a tea estate. The chassis number and engine number of the small car have been erased. It indicates that they had planned the murder," he said.
The person, in Siliguri, is being interrogated by Mothabari police, he added.
"He is claiming to have uploaded a photograph of his vehicle on an online platform with the intention of selling it. We are verifying his claims and rechecking them," the officer said.
"We have recovered empty cartridges and live ammunition from the crime spot. At this stage, the motive behind the attack is not clear," the DGP said.
Police suspect the use of sophisticated firearms during the attack.
On Thursday, police recovered a bullet shell from the streets approaching Rath's residence, the sleuth said.
According to preliminary forensic inputs, the assailants might have used Glock 47X pistols, he said.
"A weapon of this nature is generally not used by ordinary criminals. We are examining whether professional shooters were involved," a senior West Bengal Police officer said on condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile, one of the locals claimed to have seen three people on a bike "waiting" on the streets last night.
He also said that they had little clue about Rath's association with Adhikari.
"We did not know much about Rath. Whether he was an aide of Adhikari was not known to us. He used to return home in the same car with a West Bengal Assembly sticker at the same time everyday," the local resident claimed.
