Jammu, Apr 13: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Chowdhary on Monday questioned the appointment of vice chancellors and directors from outside Jammu and Kashmir in key educational institutions, while also criticizing the Bharatiya Janata Party and Peoples Democratic Party over the issue of statehood.
Speaking to reporters in Miran Sahib area of Jammu, Chowdhary said both parties should explain to the people why top academic positions in institutions across the Union Territory are largely held by individuals from outside.
He cited examples including University of Jammu, SKUAST-Jammu, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, and Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, stating that their vice chancellors are from outside Jammu and Kashmir.
He also referred to national institutions such as IIM Jammu and NIT Jammu, saying their directors are not from the region.
“Isn’t there any capable person in Jammu and Kashmir?” he said, asserting that the region has sufficient talent to lead its institutions.
The Deputy Chief Minister also linked the issue to the loss of statehood, blaming both BJP and PDP for the current situation. He alleged that while the BJP highlights Dogra Maharajas through billboards, it has failed to address the restoration of statehood.
Chowdhary asked both parties to approach the central government and work towards restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
