Congress’s student wing National Students Union of India (NSUI) has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to name the upcoming college of Delhi University after former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh instead of Hindutva ideologue Veer Savarkar.
PM Modi will lay the foundation stone of Veer Savarkar College in Najafgarh on Friday. The institute was approved by the Executive Council, the highest decision-making body of Delhi University, in 2021.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, NSUI national president Varun Chaudhary highlighted Manmohan Singh’s contribution to education and governance and requested that the college honor his legacy.
Singh, who died on December 27 at AIIMS, Delhi, at the age of 92, was a veteran Congress leader.
“Hon’ble Prime Minister, you are ready to inaugurate a college in the name of Veer Savarkar under Delhi University. NSUI strongly demands that this institution be named after former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Ji. His condition His demise has left a deep void, and the truest tribute to his legacy would be to dedicate premier educational institutions in his name,” the letter read.
Veer Savarkar College in Roshanpura
PM Modi will also lay the foundation stone of Veer Savarkar College in Roshanpura, Najafgarh, which will have state-of-the-art facilities for education besides an academic block in East Delhi, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement. An educational block in Dwarka.
Veer Savarkar is a revered figure for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
NSUI also called for including Singh’s life journey from his post-Partition student life to his emergence as a global icon in the educational curriculum. It emphasized that Singh’s legacy as a scholar, economist and public servant is one of resilience, competence and dedication to public welfare.
NSUI said, “Singh founded several institutions like IIT, IIM, AIIMS and introduced the Central Universities Act. Naming the institutions after him will inspire generations and honor his transformative vision. The government should recognize his unique contribution to India.” Immediate action should be taken to identify them.”
NSUI also requested the establishment of a central university in Singh’s name and inclusion of his achievements in the academic curriculum. The letter has also been sent to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, urging immediate action.
His recent demise has left a deep void, and the most fitting tribute to his legacy would be to dedicate premier educational institutions in his name.
After 33 years of service in the Indian Parliament, Singh retired from the Rajya Sabha in April 2024. Singh is credited with opening the Indian economy to global competition as Finance Minister in the Narasimha Rao cabinet. Singh was the Prime Minister of the Congress-led UPA government for two terms between 2004 and 2014.
