Modi selfie-point directive sets off student outrage in central universities

Hyderabad: All three central universities in Hyderabad — Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU), and University of Hyderabad (UoH) — have yet to set up 'Modi Selfie Points' on their campuses, as advised by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

The UGC, in a recent directive, urged educational institutions nationwide to establish selfie points showcasing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photo along with snapshots of India's achievements.

Three days after the UGC sent out the letter, none of these universities have begun work on the selfie points. Some are not even aware of the UGC initiative. A representative from UoH said, "If and when we receive a letter, we'll see."

Some students see this as a politically motivated move, coinciding with the approaching Lok Sabha polls in 2024.

"I've never seen such a thing in the history of our country where a living president or prime minister is advertised in educational institutions. It feels like a campaign strategy ahead of the elections," said an EFLU student Brijesh N.

“Despite President A.P.J Abdul Kalam's achievements, he never sought nor allowed such glorification," another student Karunakar Rangula said.

Expressing disapproval, another student from MANUU said, " I know I won't click a picture if something like that comes up on our campus. If anything, I'll take one to show how desperate Modi's fans are, and this is beneath the dignity of the office he holds."

The UGC's directive came during the weekend, prompting discussions on social media platforms and within the campuses. The directive, however, faced backlash in Maharashtra earlier, where institutes were urged to celebrate the birth centenary year of RSS leader Dattaji Didolkar.

While the UGC has withdrawn the suggested designs linked to the directive, the directive for setting up selfie points remains in place. Approved designs include the internationalisation of education, unity in diversity, and India's rise in higher education, carrying a large image of the Prime Minister with representative pictures on each theme.