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Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Don't use intuition to promote political agenda: Students after Voice of Devendra row
Students at the Savitribai Phule Pune University have spoken out against the politicisation of academic spaces like Universities after a row over the 'Voice of Devendra' elocution contest row. A circular by the National Service Scheme at Pune University dated August 5 encouraged participation in the competition named after the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. After protests by groups like Congress student's wing National Students Union of India, the circular was revoked and the Director National Service Scheme of NSS at SPPU Sadanand Bhosale clarified that the event was not being organised by the university. 'Organising a speech competition under the banner 'Voice of Devendra' in a public university, inspired by the name of the sitting Chief Minister, risks turning an academic platform into a vehicle for political glorification, undermining the neutrality and inclusivity that higher education institutions are meant to uphold,' said Abhijeet Vaidye, a postgraduate student at the sociology department at the university. Sandip Gaikwad, pursuing postgraduate Diploma in Interdisciplinary Studies at the Ranade Journalism Institute at SPPU, expressed similar sentiments: 'There is no opposition to organising a competition. But holding or supporting programs in the name of a person in power in a university is not a sign of an autonomous institution.' He added, 'If such steps are taken, the way political parties are supported without any thought on the streets, the same will happen in the university. I fear that these decisions will not create multi-minded and independent-thinking scholars who strengthen the foundation of democracy here, but will create weak-minded slaves.' Postgraduate Journalism student Jitendra Tele told The Indian Express, 'If you are going to push your political agenda through an academic institution then it is wrong. This is not your personal agency or institute. It is a government agency which is run through the taxes of poor people, doing your own PR here is not correct.' Dattu Patil, a postgraduate student at the political science department disagreed with this view and said that the event could be used by students as a platform for all views. 'There was no need to politicise this event. It was an elocution competition for the dissemination of ideas and people should have taken it as an opportunity to present their views. Naming the event after Devendra Fadnavis does not make it political. He is the CM of a state and not of a party. After you become the CM you are of all people and not just with a political tag. People from opposite ideologies also could have taken part.' -In April 2023 a glass door on the premises of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) was broken after ABVP members protested against alleged permission given for a rap song video to be shot on campus. -In November 2023 clashes broke out between Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Sena (ABVP)–the students wing of RSS–and the Students Federation of India (SFI)–the students wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). Cross complaints were filed after ABVP members turned up during an SFI membership drive and the members came to blows. -In February 2024, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha activists were booked for ransacking the premises of Lalit Kala Kendra at Savitribai Phule Pune University after they found a play on Sita and Ram objectionable. The police also arrested the head of the Lalit Kala Kendra and students performing the play. -In April 2024, a Muslim student was beaten up and given death threats by a group of people accusing him of 'love jihad'. The victim claimed that the group accosted him on campus and demanded to see his ID card and demanded that they cancel his admission.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Pune univ wing drops ‘Voice of Devendra' contest circular
Pune: The circular the National Service Scheme (NSS) wing of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) issued on Aug 5 to all student volunteers to participate to the maximum extent in the 'Voice of Devendra', a state-level elocution competition, was withdrawn on Tuesday by its director Sadanand Bhosale. The competition, according to the circular, is inspired by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis , and provides a platform to participants to connect with the concept of a 'Developed Maharashtra' and enhances their oratory skills. Dayanand Shinde, state coordinator of 'Voice of Devendra' movement said the event will be held in Nashik on Aug 17. Participants have to send their entries online and the finalists will be chosen. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai | Gold Rates Today in Mumbai | Silver Rates Today in Mumbai Students affiliated to National Students' Union of India and University Students' Struggle Action Committee protested on Tuesday on SPPU's campus calling it a political agenda. Shiv Sena (UBT) functionary Sushama Andhare and NCP (SP)'s Rohit Pawar too spoke against the circular. Pawar posted on his X account that the university has perhaps forgotten that it should not become part of a political agenda and should focus on improving academic quality and strengthening the voice of democracy rather than engaging in hero worship. Bhosale said the university was not organising the contest but merely informing students about it. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 15 Prettiest Icons In The History The Noodle Box Undo "We get proposals from organisations like Rotary Club, the police and others to popularise their contests or events such as tree plantation or other activities. Accordingly, we issue a circular stating the event and invite students to join voluntarily. Similarly, some Nashik-based organisations approached us with this contest, and we sent a letter so that students would know about it. NSS students or others didn't need to attend. The university was not involved in anything else. In light of the protests, we have withdrawn the circular," he added. Protesting students alleged SPPU officials are acting under the influence of the governing party. he added. NSUI president, university chapter, Siddhant Jambhulkar, said the contest shifts focus from the state's progress to promoting a political leader. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Pune varsity withdraws 'Voice of Devendra' competition notice after objection from NSUI
The Savitribai Phule Pune University has withdrawn the notification for an elocution competition under the title 'Voice of Devendra', after the NSUI, Congress' student wing, opposed it claiming the varsity was trying to implement BJP's "hidden" agenda. The university's National Social Scheme (NSS) wing had uploaded a notification, dated August 5, on its website and appealed to students to take part in the elocution competition organised under the title "Voice of Devendra", taking inspiration from Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The government-run university's NSS coordinator, Sadanand Bhosale, said on Tuesday (August 12, 2025) that the varsity was not organising the competition. "Three foundations — named Swarambh Foundation, IFELLOW Foundation and Nashik Pratishthan — are the organisers, who had written to the university that they are holding an elocution competition, under the title name 'Voice of Devendra', on the topic 'Developed Maharashtra'. The NSS wing received the letter and we put the notification on the website, stating those who want to take part can register themselves for the competition," he said. Some outfits made an assumption that the NSS wing of the university is holding the competition, Mr. Bhosale said. "We explained to them that we are not holding the competition and it was just posted so that interested students can take part, and now we have withdrawn the notification from the website," he said. Members of the NSUI on Tuesday (August 12, 2025) staged a protest in the university, demanding the notification be revoked. "It seems that through such a competition, the university and the NSS wing are implementing BJP's hidden agenda. We registered our protest and after facing opposition, the NSS wing of the varsity withdrew the notification," NSUI member Akshay Kamble claimed.
