Tamil Nadu urged to clarify stand on higher education bill

Coimbatore: The general secretary of the State Platform for Common School System – Tamil Nadu, P.B. Prince Gajendra Babu, has called upon the Tamil Nadu government to publicly state its position on the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, and reveal what it has communicated to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) examining the proposed legislation.

Speaking at a public meeting on State rights and NEET organised by the Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam in Avarampalayam here on Tuesday, Mr. Gajendra Babu argued that the Bill, if enacted, could have a direct bearing on the functioning of State universities and colleges. He urged the State government to inform the Assembly and the people about its response to the Bill and demand a public hearing in Tamil Nadu.

The proposed legislation seeks to replace existing regulatory bodies, including the University Grants Commission, with a new framework comprising separate councils for standards, accreditation and regulation. It is currently under review by a Joint Parliamentary Committee.

Mr. Gajendra Babu alleged that the Bill is part of an attempt by the BJP and the RSS to centralise control over higher education and weaken the powers of State governments. He claimed that the proposed centralised system could enable the Union Government to exercise greater control over accreditation, standards and regulation of institutions in the States.

He further alleged that the regulatory changes, along with provisions facilitating the entry of foreign universities, could weaken State-run universities by exposing them to competition without ensuring adequate public funding. “State universities will be weakened through lack of funds, while private and foreign universities will be allowed to expand,” he said, adding that institutions such as Bharathiar University and other State universities would be adversely affected.

Referring to the proposed standard-setting mechanism, he expressed concern that what he described as unscientific or unverified claims could be introduced into academic curricula under the guise of an “Indian knowledge system.” He also questioned the constitutional basis for extending regulatory powers over State universities to the Union Government, stating that the division of legislative powers should not be altered through ordinary legislation.

Mr. Gajendra Babu urged the Tamil Nadu government to take a clear position on the Bill and place before the public the representations it has made to the parliamentary committee.

On NEET, he alleged that the examination has contributed to the commercialisation of medical education and benefited private institutions charging high fees. He called for the withdrawal of NEET and other centralised entrance examinations.

He further said that citizens were not merely voters but the ultimate holders of sovereign power and had the constitutional right to question governments and oppose policies they considered detrimental to their interests.

The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, introduced in Parliament earlier this year, aims to overhaul the higher education regulatory framework. While the Union government has maintained that the changes are intended to improve quality and coordination, several State governments have raised concerns about federal principles and the impact on State-run institutions. The Tamil Nadu government has not yet made an official statement on the Bill.