Sri Vijaya Puram, July 31: A fresh demand has been made to keep the proposed Draft Andaman & Nicobar Islands Private University Regulation, 2026, in abeyance, with concerns being raised over the absence of wider public consultation and the need for greater transparency before any decision on the legislation is taken.
In a representation submitted to Lieutenant Governor Admiral D. K. Joshi, TSG Bhasker, Chairman of the Campaign Committee of the Andaman & Nicobar Territorial Congress Committee (ANTCC), objected to the proposed regulation and urged the Administration to defer its implementation until comprehensive consultations are held and all related policy documents and studies are made public.
According to the representation, the proposed legislation has generated widespread concern among students, parents, teachers and members of the public. Bhasker stated that the long-standing aspiration of the people of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is the establishment of a Central University that offers affordable, quality and nationally recognised higher education, rather than the introduction of a private university framework.
The representation further stated that students in the Islands had been protesting for nearly two months against the Deemed University proposal. It noted that the protests included an Andaman Bandh supported by the general public as well as candlelight vigils. Bhasker argued that introducing the proposed Private University Regulation without addressing these concerns has further intensified public resentment.
Referring to the student movement at Jantar Mantar, the representation stated that the protest had highlighted what it described as shortcomings in the country’s education system and demonstrated the willingness of the younger generation to organise peaceful and democratic movements on issues affecting education and their future.
Bhasker also questioned the need to introduce private universities without conducting or publishing a feasibility study, enrolment projections, fee structure or details relating to prospective sponsors. The representation further raised concerns regarding the protection of government college infrastructure, transparency in the selection process and the possibility of RSS ideological influence in higher education.
The representation also called for the re-affiliation of government colleges to Pondicherry University, sought wider public consultation on the proposed legislation and requested an extension of the objection period to enable broader stakeholder participation.
Concluding the representation, Bhasker urged the Administration to keep the proposed regulation in abeyance until consultations are completed and all relevant studies and policy documents are placed in the public domain. He reiterated that establishing a Central University would better address the educational and developmental aspirations of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and expressed hope that the concerns raised by islanders would receive due consideration before any final decision is taken on the proposed regulation.
