UP House passes Bill on pvt universities, oppn questions clause on 'anti-national' activities

The state assembly passed the Uttar Pradesh Private Universities Bill on Thursday amid opposition protests over a clause that compels the institutes to provide an undertaking that they will not allow any anti-national activity on the campus.

The Bill aims to bring 27 private universities in the state under an umbrella law, and also enforce transparency on fees and the admission process.

The Bill was passed by voice vote even as the Samajwadi Party objected to some of its sections and demanded that it should be referred to a select committee.

SP legislator Ujjawal Raman Singh said the section on anti-national activities had created suspicion that the Bill is aimed against a particular university.

There were some heated exchanges when Singh referred to the Jawaharlal Nehru University row in 2016 over slogan-shouting by some student protesters.

The SP leader alleged attempts to defame the university over the issue.

The Bill, tabled in the House on Tuesday, demands an undertaking from the