INLD leader and former Haryana finance minister Sampat Singh launched a sharp attack on the state's BJP-led government on Tuesday. He accused the current administration of commercializing education and neglecting public institutions.
Education Made a Saleable Commodity
Speaking to media persons in Rohtak, Singh did not mince words. He claimed the government has turned education into a commodity for sale. This move, he argued, has pushed public institutions into a state of neglect.
"Education was made saleable in Haryana," Singh stated firmly. "If the structure is not protected now, the damage will be long-term." He warned that citizens are now forced to raise the slogan of "Save Education" to protect the state's academic framework.
Funding Crisis and Declining Standards
Singh pointed to inadequate funding and policy apathy as the main culprits. He said these factors have caused a steady erosion of educational standards across Haryana.
The INLD leader highlighted a significant expansion in the number of universities. In 2004, Haryana had only four universities. Maharshi Dayanand University in Rohtak was the third-oldest among them.
Since then, successive state and central governments have established 18 new universities. This brings the total count to 23 institutions. However, Singh alleged the government is not releasing adequate budgets for these universities.
"But the government is not releasing adequate budgets for these institutions," he added. "As a result, the quality of education is deteriorating across universities."
Political Blame Game
Singh also took a swipe at the Congress party during his media address. He alleged that Congress's political "surrender" paved the way for the BJP to form the government in Haryana.
According to the INLD leader, both major parties share responsibility for weakening public education. He claimed one party is guilty of policy neglect while the other is responsible for political compromise.
The former finance minister's comments come amid growing concerns about educational quality in the state. His warnings about long-term damage to Haryana's academic framework have sparked discussions among education stakeholders.
