Ambedkar university issues order, sets Feb 25 as deadline
LUCKNOW: Following the BJP-led government’s directives to fly the tricolour atop a 207-feet mast in all central universities, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU) in the state capital issued an order in this regard on Friday.
Immediately after attending the central universities vice-chancellors’ meeting in Delhi on Thursday, BBAU vicechancellor RC Sobti held a meeting with the chief executive engineer on Friday morning to chalk out a plan to hoist the tricolour on the campus.
“We have set February 25 as the deadline. But we still have to seek clearance from authorities of Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport, Amausi, Lucknow which is barely 5 km from the university,” said Prof RC Sobti.
He added, “There are certain norms that we have to adhere to because of the airport. We are not allowed to construct buildings beyond four-storeys in this area. The height of the tricolour mast exceeds that limit. A letter has been sent to the airport director.”
The university has also identified the area where it will be installed.
The vice-chancellor said, “It will be located at the centre of the campus near the canteen which is crowded by students throughout the day.”
Sobti added that he supported the decision taken at the vice-chancellors’ meet as the national flag and national anthem will evoke patriotism on the campus.
Recently, the university was in the news during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the campus on January 22 where a group of dalit students staged protest over dalit scholar Rohith Vemula’s suicide.
Some of the degree colleges in the state capital that are affiliated to University of Lucknow are also planning to hoist the tricolour on campus. National PG College and Avadh Girls’ Degree College (AGDC) confirmed that they will fly the Tricolour on campus.
National College principal SP Singh said, “Anything that evokes patriotic fervour should be implemented on the campus.”
AGDC principal Upma Chaturvedi was of the same view. “It is a welcome move. We are also considering to fly the Tricolour on our campus.”