UGC draft norms an assault on federalism

CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday termed the new University Grants Commission (UGC) draft regulations granting broader control to governors over V-C appointment and allowing non-academics to hold these posts as a “direct assault on federalism and state rights”. He also said the state will fight the move legally and politically.

Through a post on ‘X’, Stalin said, “This authoritarian move by the union government is aimed at centralising power, undermining the democratically elected state governments. Education must remain with those chosen by the people, and should not be dictated by governors acting at the BJP government’s behest”.

He further said Tamil Nadu, which leads the nation with the highest number of top-ranking higher education institutions, will not stay silent when the institutions are stripped of autonomy.