Congress Levels Serious Allegations Against Gujarat Government Over Ayurveda College Closure
Ahmedabad: In a significant development, the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) has launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led state government, accusing it of deliberately keeping the historic Gulabkunverba Ayurveda College closed for the past five years. This prolonged closure, according to the Congress, has effectively denied countless students access to affordable and quality ayurveda education in the region.
Historic Institution Remains Inactive Despite National Status
GPCC media convenor Manish Doshi highlighted that this prestigious institution, which was founded back in 1946, used to produce approximately 60 qualified ayurveda practitioners annually through its comprehensive undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. "It is deeply concerning and frankly unacceptable that despite a government resolution granting it national status on November 21, 2020, the college has not been reopened or made operational," Doshi stated emphatically.
Legal Framework and Government Inaction
Citing specific provisions of the Gujarat Ayurved University Act of 2021, Doshi elaborated that the responsibility to determine the university headquarters, establish constituent undergraduate colleges, and approve postgraduate colleges or centres rests squarely with the state government. "Despite this act being in force for several years now, no concrete decision or action has been taken to resume either UG or PG courses at this historic institution," he added, pointing to what he described as administrative negligence.
Broader Impact on Ayurveda Education in Gujarat
Doshi further claimed that delays in approvals by the ayurveda council over the past decade have significantly disrupted admissions across Gujarat, creating an educational vacuum. He also made a serious allegation that while government and grant-in-aid colleges like Gulabkunverba remain closed, private ayurveda colleges are charging exorbitantly high fees. This situation, according to the Congress leader, places an immense and unfair financial burden on students aspiring to pursue ayurveda, potentially limiting access to this traditional medical science to only those from affluent backgrounds.
The Congress committee's accusations bring to light critical issues concerning educational accessibility, governance, and the preservation of traditional medical education in Gujarat. The prolonged closure of such a historic institution raises questions about the state's commitment to promoting affordable ayurveda education and implementing its own legislative frameworks effectively.
