‘Name It After Manmohan Singh’: BJP-Congress Political Row Over DU’s New Savarkar College Escalates

One of Delhi University’s (DU) planned colleges will be named after Veer Savarkar, a contentious but famous figure in India’s liberation movement and political history. The move, which follows a 2021 clearance by DU’s executive council, is part of a larger proposal to create three new campuses in Dwarka and Najafgarh, including a law college. However, a heated political debate has emerged over the subject, with the Congress’ student branch now requesting that the institution be named after late Prime Minister Manmohan Singh instead.

The Veer Savarkar College will be built at Roshanpura, Najafgarh, at an estimated cost of Rs 140 crore. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to lay the groundwork for the project, as well as two other big efforts for DU: an academic block on the eastern campus in Surajmal Vihar in east Delhi and another academic block in the western campus at Dwarka. These initiatives, totaling more than Rs 600 crore, aim to provide cutting-edge educational and research facilities.

The decision has sparked a fierce political debate between the BJP and Congress. Congress has accused the BJP of attempting to “legitimise” Veer Savarkar’s role as a freedom fighter, citing his controversial past and allegations of collaboration with British authorities during the colonial era.

Congress MP Naseer Hussain criticised the move, stating, “It would have been good if the college was named after freedom fighters who laid down their lives for the country. Those loyal to the British government and who acted as police informers are now being legitimised as freedom fighters by the BJP. But everyone knows the reality.”

The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), which is linked with the Congress, has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to name the institution after late Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. In their letter, the NSUI also requested that a central university be named after Dr Singh and incorporate his life story into the curriculum. The BJP, on the other hand, has staunchly defended the decision.

Delhi BJP leader Virendra Sachdeva remarked, “Only Congress knows which leaders it respects. Veer Savarkar was a freedom fighter. If Delhi University is naming its college in his honour, then we welcome it.” Adding to the political intrigue, BJP officials have questioned the positions of major INDIA bloc members such as Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar, both of whom have previously lauded Savarkar. BJP officials have questioned if these allies back the Congress’ critique or maintain their previous respect for Savarkar.