December 12, 2019
Pratima Mondal speaks on The Central Sanskrit Universities Bill, 2019
FULL TRANSCRIPT
Thank you, Hon’ble Chairman Sir, for giving me the opportunity. Sanskrit was a colloquial language and also a standard language of India in which literature and knowledge was produced, reserved and passed down for many centuries. But unfortunately, through the ages it has lost its earlier glitter and considerable effort for its preservation and survival.
The Bill seeks to grant a status of university to Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, New Delhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapith, New Delhi, Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapith, Tirupati. The aim of the proposed legislation is an important step to bring back the glory of Sanskrit.
Now, coming to Sec 6 (2) Clause 4, it talks about the mode of evaluation for the students. Sir, I would like to state the language learning process. There are three factors through which a language can be thoroughly learned that is, reading, writing and speaking.
In the case of Sanskrit language, students usually read, rarely write and seldom speak. As a result of which, even after doing graduation, post graduation or doctoral degree in the language, one does not get the confidence to speak. So, I request the minister to make a provision for assessment of speaking skills of the student within the Bill. The ‘Sanskrit through Sanskrit’ approach as put forward by the N Gopalaswami Committee must be accepted.
Now coming to Section (7) of the Bill, it is a very delicate and important matter. It states that no discrimination should be made on the basis of sex, caste, creed, class and others. I would like to thank the minister for this provision. Recently, we saw that the appointment of a Muslim professor at Benaras Hindu University, Sanskrit Department, caused great uproar and protests were carried out.
Coming to Section 8 (4), it states that every inspection desired by the visitor, that is the President of India, will require a prior notice. I request the minister to add a clause that even in-promptu and unannounced inspection can be done. Surprise inspection will reveal the actual scenario. Either this clause should be added or, the provision for providing prior notice for every visit should be removed or else the true environment and arrangement of the University will never be revealed.
Another problem facing the Sanskrit Department of our education system is lack of faculty. As an answer to the question of hon’ble MP Kanakmal Katara, 709 posts of teachers are lying vacant in Maha Vidyalayas of the country. In this connection, UGC has sent letters to the Maha Vidyalayas affiliated to universities in June and five more such letters in October.
In this case, I would like to know from the minister how many vacancies have been filled up; also how will he ensure these universities will not have vacancies because, in reply to another starred question, hon’ble minister had informed that there are 89, 50 and 30 posts vacant at Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapith, New Delhi, Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapith, Tirupati.
Sir, I sincerely request to the government through you, to take steps to break the hunger strike of Swati Malibal. Thank you, Sir.
