Bengaluru: The Karnataka government’s recent decision to close 9 out of the 10 newly established universities, all launched under the previous BJP government, has sparked widespread condemnation from political leaders, students, and various educational bodies across the state. The move has been seen as a drastic measure to curb the financial burden on the state exchequer, but many believe it will severely impact higher education and create long-term problems for students and faculty.
The Cabinet sub-committee, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, held its first meeting on Thursday to review the financial health of the newly established universities. Following this, it was decided that 9 universities, including the Maharani Cluster in Bengaluru and Nrupatunga University, will be shut down, while only Bidar University will remain operational.
The decision has raised concerns, as the universities in question—such as those in Hassan, Chamarajanagar, Haveri, Kodagu, Koppal, Bagalkot, Mandya, and Nrupatunga—were seen as crucial developments in the education infrastructure of these regions. These institutions, most of which were inaugurated during the tenure of the previous BJP government, were intended to decentralize higher education, offer more accessible opportunities to students in rural areas, and create regional educational hubs.
Critics argue that the decision to close down these universities reflects a lack of foresight and disregard for the long-term impact on the education system. “These universities were not just buildings; they were a lifeline for thousands of students in smaller towns and rural areas who had limited access to quality higher education. Shutting them down will set the region back by decades,” said one prominent educationist.
One of the major points of contention is the government’s financial reasoning. According to the Cabinet sub-committee, a substantial amount—Rs 342 crore—was required for the establishment and operation of these universities. This includes the costs of infrastructure, salaries for teaching and non-teaching staff, and the acquisition of land and equipment. Critics, however, point out that the government’s focus should have been on streamlining resources and improving the management of these universities rather than opting for closure.
“The state’s education system should be evolving, not contracting,” said a senior leader from the opposition. “Instead of taking such drastic steps, the government should be looking at ways to ensure the smooth operation of these universities, such as revising the funding models or exploring public-private partnerships. Closing them is an insult to students who invested their hopes and dreams in these institutions.”
Bidar University, which was also under scrutiny, has managed to escape the axe due to its larger scale and the fact that it oversees 150 affiliated colleges, making it a vital educational hub. The government has justified the closure of the other universities based on the financial strain and the assessment report provided by the Karnataka State Higher Education Council, but the move has left many feeling betrayed.
The decision has caused unrest among students, parents, and politicians alike, with many calling the closure an ill-conceived, short-term fix that undermines the future of Karnataka’s education system. “This is not just a financial decision; it’s a decision that undermines the value of education for students in rural Karnataka. The impact will be felt for generations,” remarked a student activist from Mandya University.
BJP Condemns Government’s Decision
The government’s decision to close universities has sparked fierce criticism and outrage from opposition leaders, education activists, and local communities. As the government moves forward with the closure of universities, including Mandya University, Chamarajanagar University, and others, opposition leaders are raising alarm about the adverse impact on education, particularly in the state’s educationally backward regions.
R Ashok, the opposition leader in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, voiced his strong disapproval, calling out Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for “sabotaging the future of Karnataka’s youth.” Speaking at a press conference, Ashok accused the Chief Minister of deliberately closing the universities to prevent students from graduating.
“What is happening in this state under Siddaramaiah’s leadership? The Chief Minister is eyeing universities like a bull with its eyes on a matador. His aim is to stop young people from graduating. If no one graduates, he can shut down the Yuvanidhi scheme too,” Ashok said, expressing his anger over the government’s financial handling of education.
Ashok criticised the closure of Mandya University in particular, suggesting that the government was prioritizing the development of an amusement park and water sports facilities over education. “Mandya, which is home to many Kannadigas, is now deprived of an educational institution that could have played a vital role in its growth. This is a direct blow to the region’s education system. There is no money for school repairs, no new colleges are being set up, and students are deprived of the necessary resources. When you present a budget of Rs 4 lakh crore, how can Rs 342 crore be too much to invest in the future of the state’s youth?” Ashok asked.
Furthermore, Ashok raised concerns over the impact on students from economically backward districts. “The very purpose of these universities was to uplift educationally backward districts like Chamarajanagar, Koppal, and Mandya. Now, where will the poor students from these areas go for higher education? With microfinance loans already weighing heavily on their shoulders, the burden of sending their children to distant districts for education will only worsen the plight of these families,” he said, urging people to be prepared for protests against this decision in the coming days.
The opposition’s fury was shared by former minister and MLA Dr CN Ashwathnarayan, who warned that the government’s decision to shut down these universities would significantly hinder educational progress for Karnataka’s youth. He also pointed out that while the state government had highlighted Dr BR Ambedkar’s vision for education and equality in its budget speech, it was now backtracking on those principles by shutting down institutions meant to provide quality education.
“While presenting the budget, Siddaramaiah spoke about the aspirations of Dr Ambedkar and the vachanakars. But now, universities are being shut down. Quality education should be available to all youth, especially in districts where higher education has long been a distant dream. We were promised opportunities, but now the government is stripping away the very institutions that were meant to provide them,” Ashwathnarayan said.
He also pointed out the government’s hypocrisy, claiming that no new posts were created when the universities were established by the BJP government. Instead, existing posts were transferred. “The government’s decision to close universities on the grounds of lack of money is unjustifiable. While closing these educational institutions, they continue to ignore the serious issues of inadequate funding for schools, a lack of faculty appointments, and a dearth of infrastructure,” he remarked. Ashwathnarayan further noted that in many districts like Chamarajanagar, the college admission rate was as low as 10 per cent, adding that the closure of these universities would worsen the education gap.
