Sri Vijaya Puram, May 19: The demand for a full-fledged Central University in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands has gained renewed political attention, with Member of Parliament Bishnu Pada Ray formally urging Anil Kumar Tiwari to take up the issue with the Government of India.
In a written communication addressed to the BJP state president, the MP called for stronger intervention from party leadership in the islands to support the establishment of a Central University through an Act of Parliament, instead of pursuing the proposed deemed-to-be university model. The appeal places responsibility on the state leadership to align with what has been described as a long-standing public demand.
The letter highlights that the absence of a full-fledged university within the Islands continues to pose structural challenges for students, particularly in areas such as academic administration, examinations, results processing, research opportunities and access to higher education. The geographical isolation of the Islands further compounds these issues, making dependence on mainland-affiliated universities difficult for students.
Ray stated that the demand is neither recent nor politically driven, but rooted in years of concern over limited higher education infrastructure in the region. He noted that the issue has been consistently raised at multiple levels, including with the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister and Union Education Minister, as well as in Parliament.
The MP also pointed to widespread public support for the demand, stating that students, youth and other stakeholders across the Islands have voiced their concerns regarding the existing system. He emphasised that the demand reflects broader aspirations for academic growth and long-term development rather than any political positioning.
In his communication, Ray expressed concern that the Andaman & Nicobar Administration has not adequately projected the demand before the Centre. He indicated that any weak or insufficient recommendation could undermine the case for a Central University and fail to capture the urgency of the issue from the perspective of island residents.
Referring to his earlier correspondence with the Lieutenant Governor, the MP reiterated that a clear and categorical recommendation in favour of a Central University is essential. He argued that the proposed deemed-to-be university model does not sufficiently address the academic and institutional needs of the region.
By reaching out to Tiwari, Ray has sought to mobilise organisational support within the BJP to strengthen the case at the national level. He underlined that intervention from the state leadership could play a significant role in presenting a unified position before the Centre.
The communication also stresses that the issue directly impacts the educational future of students and the broader development trajectory of the Islands. It calls for coordinated efforts to ensure that the demand is placed before the Government of India with clarity and seriousness.
The development comes amid ongoing discussions around higher education infrastructure in the Islands, with the Central University demand continuing to remain a key point of public and political focus.
