PM Modi To Inaugurate Veer Savarkar College In Delhi; Congress Opposes
Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Veer Savarkar College located in Roshanpura, Najafgarh, today on January 3. The declaration arrives at a politically intense time, right before the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, sparking conversations about its implications and the controversial decision to name the institution after Veer Savarkar.
Details About Veer Savarkar College
The planned Veer Savarkar College constitutes a noteworthy investment of Rs 140 crore and will cover an overall constructed area of 18,816.56 square metres. Positioned advantageously near the Urban Extension Road (UER) highway and just a short walk from the proposed West Campus, the college seeks to enhance accessibility for students.
The organization will provide cutting-edge facilities including 24 classrooms, eight tutorial spaces, 40 faculty offices, departmental libraries, conference rooms, and a cafeteria. It is also a component of Delhi University’s goal to set up campuses in all four cardinal points of the city.
Backlash Over Naming College Over Veer Savarkar
Nevertheless, the choice to name the college in honor of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar has elicited varied responses. Savarkar is hailed by numerous individuals as a freedom fighter and a proponent of Hindutva, but his legacy is contested by some because of his contentious ideological views.
Opposition Criticises
Opposition parties, especially Congress, have charged the BJP with leveraging Savarkar’s legacy to expand its electoral support in Delhi. Congress leader Naseer Hussain claimed that naming the college after Savarkar was an effort to validate those who sought assistance from the British during India's fight for independence.
“There are countless freedom fighters who gave their lives for India’s sovereignty. Naming the college after one of them would have been a genuine tribute,” Hussain stated according to a report by India Today
He additionally accused the BJP of endorsing individuals who share their ideological beliefs. The National Students' Union of India (NSUI), supported by the Congress, has proposed that the college be named after former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh instead.
BJP's Support To The Decision
Leaders of the BJP have robustly supported the decision, rejecting the Congress's comments as unfounded. BJP representative Shehzad Poonawalla charged the Congress with repeatedly showing disrespect towards venerated historical personalities.
According to report by TOI, BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar said over Congress party's opposition on PM Modi setting foundation stone for Veer Savarkar college, "Congress party, if they don't understand the history of India and they think the history of India is only limited to Jawaharlal Nehru... then obviously I can't help them. They will have to buy history textbooks and understand that our India has been built by many, many leaders. Subhash Chandra Bose, who they ignored. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, whom they ignored. Veer Savarkar ji whom they tried to create misinformation around and there are many such leaders and our party, our government is committed to ensuring that every leader, every one of these great people who contributed to today's India is honoured, is respected and Rahul Gandhi's little cheap politics of trying to abuse Veer Savarkar ji in a hope of getting Muslim votes has played out repeatedly in Haryana and failed."
PM Modi Inaugurates Other Key Places
Prime Minister Narendra Modi presents the keys to the recipients of newly built apartments for residents of Jhuggi Jhopri (JJ) clusters as part of the In-Situ Slum Rehabilitation Project at Swabhiman Apartments, Ashok Vihar, Delhi.
PM Modi also tweeted on his X page (formerly Twitter) about the inauguration events carried out in Delhi for the development of the people and capital city.