In a strongly worded statement, prominent social activist and youth leader, Adv. Mohd Majid Malik, condemned the Higher Education Department of Jammu and Kashmir for excluding ten major subjects from the esteemed Government Degree College (GDC) Bhaderwah. The exclusion of subjects such as Commerce, BCA Computer Application, Arabic, Sanskrit, Library Science, History, Islamic Studies, Electronics, Public Administration, and Philosophy has sparked resentment among the locals.
GDC Bhaderwah, a historic institution founded in 1954, holds the distinction of being one of the first college in the Jammu region after India’s independence. It has served as a hub for education, catering to students from various areas, including Kishtwar, Marwah, Padder, Warwan, Ramban, Banihal, Batote, Doda, Bhalessa, and other regions.
Adv. Mohd Majid Malik accused the Higher Education Department of making these exclusions without proper notification, consultation, or deliberation. He criticized the move as part of the implementation of the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which he described as hastily implemented and not conducive to promoting an equitable and just educational foundation. According to Malik, the NEP seems to privilege a select few while adversely affecting institutions like GDC Bhaderwah.
Moreover, he pointed out that new courses have been introduced in other colleges across the Chenab Valley, which were established only a few years ago, while established institutions like GDC Bhaderwah have faced the removal of crucial subjects.
The social activist stressed the hardships faced by economically disadvantaged parents who cannot afford to send their children to other government or private colleges outside Bhaderwah for education in the excluded subjects. He called for immediate intervention from Lt. Governor Monaj Sinha and Union Minister in PMO, Dr. Jatinder Singh, to ensure the retention of the ten major subjects and streams in GDC Bhaderwah.
Adv. Mohd Majid Malik highlighted the significant decline in the number of major subjects offered at GDC Bhaderwah over the years. From the initial count of 26 major subjects when the college was founded, only 14 subjects remain after the implementation of NEP, a situation deemed unacceptable by the people.
He demanded that the Higher Education Department take prompt action to reinstate all the excluded undergraduate subjects in GDC Bhaderwah and update the college’s admission website accordingly. He urged the authorities to put an end to the perceived step-motherly treatment towards Bhaderwah and ensure the institution’s academic integrity.
Adv. Mohd Majid Malik announced his intention to address the issue through an open letter to Lt. Governor Monaj Sinha, requesting the reinstatement of all excluded major subjects in the college. He also criticized the silence of political leaders who aspire to contest elections and called on them to be true representatives of the people.
The Chenab Times News Desk