Patriotism for marks? Gujarat University’s five-mark tiranga yatra

By Prof. Hemantkumar Shah*

The Registrar of Gujarat University wrote a letter on 11 August 2025 to the principals of all affiliated colleges and the directors of the university’s postgraduate departments.

In it, he stated that on 13 August at 11:00 a.m., a Tiranga Yatra (Tricolour March) would be organised at the university, and that a coordinator should be sent along with the students.

The letter also said that the Tiranga Yatra should be treated as a project under the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) paper, and that students who attend would be given five marks for it. This paper, taught in the first semester with two credits, is one of the Value Added Courses. How many colleges actually teach it is another matter altogether — the main reason being the shortage of teachers.

The implication is clear: for the project students are supposed to do under the IKS paper, merely attending this march would suffice — no actual project work required! Just walk holding the tricolour, and the five marks are guaranteed! Surely, this will make the student a Vishwaguru (world teacher)! What value exactly is being “added” to a student by skipping a project and walking with a flag — only the Vice-Chancellor knows.

Look at the wording of the letter:

1. In the very first line, it says: “As per the orders of the Vice-Chancellor.” That is, sending students to the Tiranga Yatra is a direct order from the Vice-Chancellor to college principals and postgraduate department heads.

2. In the fifth line, it says: “Request as per this order.” So, the Vice-Chancellor both orders and requests! Remarkable, isn’t it?

3. In the sixth line of this seven-line letter, it says that once the march is over, “a humble request” is made to take attendance of the students. Here, the request has suddenly become “humble” instead of an order!

Whose programme is the Tiranga Yatra anyway? The Government of India’s, the Government of Gujarat’s, or the BJP’s? Whichever of the three it may be, can any Vice-Chancellor dare to say the university has nothing to do with it? What has happened in Gujarat University has surely happened in every other state-run university as well.

And yes — students are being enticed with five marks. A lure to be offered by the principal of each college. Students are not to come inspired by patriotism; they are to come tempted by marks! So the Vice-Chancellor already knows how patriotic students are — they’ll wave the tricolour only if bribed with marks.

The truth is likely that the office of the State Government’s Higher Education Commissioner in Gandhinagar has ordered all universities to hold a Tiranga Yatra.

Is there any principal with a “56-inch chest” who will dare to defy such an order or “request”? This is the latest example of how the BJP government has turned education into a mockery. These so-called protectors of Hindu culture are setting out to make India a Vishwaguru through Vice-Chancellors who obey every government directive, and principals and postgraduate department heads who follow orders without question.

I studied at Gujarat University for four years: from 1977–79 when I did my M.A. in Economics, and again from 1990–92 when I did my M.A. in Political Science. In those days, there were no Tiranga Yatras in universities, and proper teaching and learning took place. That must mean all the teachers and students of that time, including me, were traitors! What a farce now passes in the name of education!

---

*Senior economist based in Ahmedabad

Comments

Academics urge Azim Premji University to drop FIR against Student Reading Circle

By A Representative A group of academics and civil society members has issued an open letter to the leadership of Azim Premji University expressing concern over the filing of a police complaint that led to an FIR against a student-run reading circle following a recent incident of violence on campus. The signatories state that they hold the university in high regard for its commitment to constitutional values, critical inquiry and ethical public engagement, and argue that it is precisely because of this reputation that the present development is troubling.

'Policy long overdue': Coalition of 29 experts tells JP Nadda to act on SC warning label order

By A Representative In a significant development for public health, the Supreme Court of India has directed the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to seriously consider implementing mandatory front-of-pack warning labels on pre-packaged food products. The order, passed by a bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan on February 10, 2026, comes as the Court expressed dissatisfaction with the regulatory body's progress on the issue.

UAPA action against Telangana activist: Criminalising legitimate democratic activity?

By A Representative The National Investigation Agency's Hyderabad branch has issued notices to more than ten individuals in Telangana in connection with FIR No. RC-04/2025. Those served include activists, former student leaders, civil rights advocates, poets, writers, retired schoolteachers, and local leaders associated with the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Indian National Congress.

Vaccination vs screening: Policy questions raised on cervical cancer strategy

By A Representative A public policy expert has written to Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda raising a series of concerns regarding the national Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign launched on February 28 for 14-year-old girls.

The new anti-national certificate: If Arundhati Roy is the benchmark, count me in

By Dr. Mansee Bal Bhargava* Dear MANIT Alumni Network Committee, “Are you anti-national?” I encountered this fascinating—some may say intimidating—question from an elderly woman I barely know, an alumna of Maulana Azad College of Technology (MACT, now Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology - MANIT), Bhopal, and apparently one of the founders of the MACT (now MANIT) Alumni Network. The authority with which she posed the question was striking. “How much anti-national are you? What have you done for the Alumni Network Committee to identify you as anti-national?” When I asked what “anti-national” meant to her and who was busy certifying me as such, the response came in counter-questions.

Minority concerns mount: RTI reveals govt funded Delhi religious meet in December

By Syed Ali Mujtaba* Indian Muslims have expressed deep concern over what they describe as rising hate speech and hostility against their community under the BJP-led government in India. A recent flashpoint was the event organised by Sanatan Sanstha titled “Sanatan Rashtra Shankhnad Mahotsav” in New Delhi on 13–14 December 2025.

Development vs community: New coal politics and old conflicts in Madhya Pradesh

By Deepmala Patel* The Singrauli region of Madhya Pradesh, often described as “India’s energy capital,” has for decades been a hub of coal mining and thermal power generation. Today, the Dhirouli coal mine project in this district has triggered widespread protests among local communities. In recent years, the project has generated intense controversy, public opposition, and significant legal and social questions. This is not merely a dispute over one mine; it raises a larger question—who pays the price for energy development? Large corporate beneficiaries or the survival of local communities?

Buddhist shrines were 'massively destroyed' by Brahmanical rulers: Historian DN Jha

Nalanda mahavihara By Rajiv Shah Prominent historian DN Jha, an expert in India's ancient and medieval past, in his new book , "Against the Grain: Notes on Identity, Intolerance and History", in a sharp critique of "Hindutva ideologues", who look at the ancient period of Indian history as "a golden age marked by social harmony, devoid of any religious violence", has said, "Demolition and desecration of rival religious establishments, and the appropriation of their idols, was not uncommon in India before the advent of Islam".

From neglect to progress: The story of Ranavara’s community-led development

By Bharat Dogra Visitors to Ranavara, a remote village in Kherwara block of Udaipur district, are often surprised by its multi-dimensional progress. The village today is known for its impressive school building, regenerated pastures, expanded tree cover, and extensive water conservation and supply works. These achievements are the outcome of sustained community efforts over several years, demonstrating how small, consistent initiatives can lead to significant change.

Search This Blog