Not only tank aircraft, ship will also do: JNU VC

Clarifying his stand to procure an Army tank on the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus, varsity Vice-Chancellor M. Jagadesh Kumar on Wednesday said the idea is to have kind of "symbol" on the campus which signifies a link between JNU and the cadets who passed out from these institutes.

"The alumni passing out from these Defence Institutes said why not have a symbol on the campus. So, in that context I mentioned that why not. If the alumni want to donate a tank we can have it on campus. So, it could be a tank, an aeroplane, a ship or another kind of thing which signifies the link between JNU and the cadets who passed out from these institutes. Only because of this I have mentioned it," Kumar told ANI.

He also said that JNU has a very strong and long standing association with major defence academic institutes and these alumni wanted to have "more collaboration", "more contact" with JNU.

"The cadre who pass out from there, whether Air Force, Army or Navy, their academic programs are approved by the academic counsel of the JNU and their degrees are given by JNU. So therefore the students, the cadre who pass out from these institutes are our own elements. So, whenever I visit these institutes or when the alumni visits JNU, they wanted to have "more collaboration", "more contact" with JNU," he added.

Earlier the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Communist Party of India (CPI) strongly criticised his demand.

SP leader Naresh Agarwal said that it was strange to have people of such mentality.

Agarwal told ANI, "It's strange to have people of such mentality. How would Army's tank be an inspiration?"

CPI (M) leader D Raja said that the JNU VC should be instead demanding the instillation of the renowned mathematician Aryabhatta, as it would convey some message.

"I don't know what he thinks of JNU. It is the country's number one institution. It is not the army's station. He should demand the installation the renowned mathematician Aryabhatta's statue. It would at least convey some message," he said.

Jagdish Kumar on Sunday said, that the presence of an Army tank in the varsity will remind the students of sacrifices and valor of the defence forces.

Kumar called on Minister of State for External Affairs General V.K. Singh to help the University procure a tank.

"Would like to request VK Singh ji to help us procure an Army tank so that we can put it on display in the university. Presence of an Army tank will constantly remind students of great sacrifice and valor of Indian Army and defence forces," said Kumar.

Earlier, Kumar said that the presence of an Army tank in the varsity will remind the students of sacrifices and valor of the defence forces.

Kumar called on Minister of State for External Affairs General V.K. Singh to help the University procure a tank.

"Would like to request VK Singh ji to help us procure an Army tank so that we can put it on display in the university. Presence of an Army tank will constantly remind students of great sacrifice and valor of Indian Army and defence forces," said Kumar.

On the occasion of 18th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, the JNU organised a programme to commemorate India's glorious victory and to pay homage to the Indian Army and the Kargil martyrs.

-ANI