ii H The Patna University Bill. - National Library Digital Repository

Transcription

*'B ehar P ro o in cia l A ssociation T ra c ts."
TI
ii
^
H•
The Patna University Bill.
PRESS COM M ENTS.
P U B L I S H E D KY
R A JE N D R A
PRA SA D .
J o i s t S e c re ta ry , B ehar P rovincial Association.
B A N K IP O R E .
Printed at the "Express Press," Bankipore.
f f f T
FOREW ORD.
T liis is ih e second of th e “ B ehar P ro v in cial T ra c ts
Series.” A s stated in th e F orew ord to th e first p a m
ph let it contains th e te x ts of leading articles a n d
leaderettes w hich have appeared in th e colum ns o f th e
leading In d ia n a n d A n glo-Indian J o u rn a ls and perio d i
cals on th e P a tn a U niversity B ill. I t is considered
<lesirable th a t th o se in terested in th e subject should
have a t th e ir disposal in a com pact a n d h a n d y form
th e view s of th e ex p o n en ts o f public opinion in
various p a rts o f th e co u n try w hich will enable th em
to b rin g to bear u p o n th e discussion o f th e BUI a
larger o u tlook a n d a broader conception of th e p o in ts
in issue. I t will be noted th a t th e P a tn a U n iv e rsity
B ill is reg ard ed as an A ll-In d ia queation an d rea so n s
th ere fo r are stated^ in fu ll in th e lettei* of th e Sim la
C o rresp o n d en t o f “ T h e L ead er” , e x tra cts fro m w hich
!>earing u p o n th e S ubject are reproduced in th is
j)am phlct. T h e facts stated th erein have n o t been
conti’udicted o r challenged anyw here ; on th e c o n tra ry
th e y have been fu lly accepted b y various organs o f
}>ublic opinion w hich have w ritte n on th e subject.
Special a tte n tio n is in v ited to th e oom ineiits o f th e
I'im es o f I n d ia of B om bay w hich is one of Uie fore
m ost
organs of
A n g lo -In d ia n public
opinion a n d
w hich is as s tro n g in its condem nation of th e P a tn a
U niversity B ill as a n y o f its In d ian contem poraries.
R A JE iS D R A P R A S A U
* doin t Secretary.
Pfess (;ommet]fs
OK
^ } ]G P a f n a 0 r \ i O e f s i f y IS ill.
•
From **the Leader”, Allahabad,
\.
F ro m th e o u tline of th e co n stitution of the
P a tn a U n iv e rsity given by th e hon. S ir Sankaran
N air in in tro d u cin g th e P a tn a U n iversity Bill in the
Im perial L egislative Council, it is clear th a t th e prop o sa ls'a te of a v e ry retrograde character, a»»d expresBion ■was given to th is view by a n u m b er of non-official
m em bers. B oth th e hon. P a n d it
AIa<lan M ohan
M alaviya and th e hon. Dr. T ej B a h a d u r Sapru e x
pressed dissatisfaction w ith th e provisions relating to
th e c o n stitu tio n o f th e
senate,
and
th e
hon. Mr.
S etalvad pointed
o u t th a t very little scope or
independence w as le ft to th e m em bers of th e senate
and th e syndicate. T h e proposed univ ersity will be a
m uch m ore officialised body th an th e ex istin g lAiiversitiesif th e provisions of th e Biil be n o t considerably
m odified. T h e senate is only to be a deliberative
bod y a n d its resolu tions are n o t to bo b inding on th e
syndicate. T h e senate will differ in th is respect from
ftie senates co n stitu ted u n d er the U niversities A ct of
'
(
2
)
•
*
1904, which have th e pow er of lUflking feg u la tio n s
providing f^r th e courses of s tu d y to be follow ed and
the conditions to be com plied w ith by candidates fop
the university ex ninations, etc.
T h e syndicate will
have nil control of all m atte rs concerning education.
U nder the U niversities A ct th e executive gov ern m en t
of a u n iv ersity is vested in th e syndicate w hile under
th e B ill a fu ll tim e vice-chancellor is to be th e p rin
cipal executive officer of th e P a tn a U niversity. T hese
provisions cannot b u t be regarded as h ig h ly re tro
grade. I t is no t clear w h eth er th ere is a n y provision
in th e Bill fo r th e election of fellows by th e re g iste r
ed grad'âtes of the U n iversity n o r w h a t proportion
of th e senate will consist of elected ragimberp.
W e are n o t sure w h ether th e restriction th n t no
colleges w ill be affiliated
to th e
u n iv ersity
which are
n o t situ ated w ith in one m ile of the
Council H ouse a t P a tn a o r one of th e
fo u r
ex istin g college centres, viz,
B h a g u lp u r, Cuttack^
H azaribagh and M uzaffarpur, w ill n o t in ju rio u sly
affect th e
spread o f
h ig h er educatipn
in th e
prbvince. T h e proposal
n o t to allow the im p a rtin g
of hpn o u rs an t^ o st;g rfld im te in stru ctio n a t any
centre outside lâtna does n o t ap p ear
to u s to
be a com m endable one. At. p resen t
th e o th e r
colleges m ay no t be possessing th e necessary
equipm enl . and
resources foe im p a rtin g such
education, b u t th e ^ o o r should be k ep t open. Sir
S ankaran N air stated th a t as th e conditions fdr
(
3
)
im p a rtin g such in stru ctio n did n o t e x ist in the
various
o th e r colleges and as th e y w ere n o t
likely to arise fo r m any years to come, therefore
‘tl'e G o vernm ent have come to th e conclusion
th a t the e x te rn a l colleges should teach th e various
subjects o n ly
u p to the B. A, pass
an d
science subjects only up to th e
standard
stan d ard
reqtiired fo r th e interm ediate exam in atio n .’ T his
restriction should be rem oved. L e t th e conditions
be prescribed w hich m u st be fulfilled before a college
is allow ed to im p a rt such h ig h er education, b u t
to say th a t because no college outside P a tn a
ex ists w hich is qualified for giving higher instruction
a n d none is likely to be so qualified for some
tim e to come,
therefore the e x te rn al colleges
m ust
be p erp etu ally debarred from aspiring
h ig h er, is to place a n unnecssary restiction on
th e ir g ro w th . W e
note th a t an aided
mission
college a t H azaribagh will be included in the
U n iv e rsity . Wîll th e tecahing c f th e C hristian
religion be * com pulsory in th is aided college ? W e
w ould stro n g ly u rg e th a t consjsfently w ith the
n e u tra l policy of th e iG overnm -m t in religious
m a tte rs, th e
religious teaching in
th e
colhge
should be m ade o})tional. Some of th e m em bers
w ho spoke on th e B ill seem ed to have ^travelled
beyond th e question before th e Council. T he hon
ih*. S arm a had d o u b ts about th e necessity qf
th e U nfvereity a t all. H e w anted a policy to be
(
o
laid dow n tn o rd er th a t university
be
b u ilt
up
*
n o t on a te m to ria l b u t on a linguistic basis. H e
did n o t u n d erstan d how O rissa w ould
benefit
from such a university as proposed, b u t* th e re is
a G overnm ent college a t C uttack w hich will be
affiliated to th e U n iversity
T he hon. Babu
B hupendra N a th B asu seem ed to be dissatisfied
w ith th e increasing
n um ber of universities *in
n o rth e rn In d ia and w ith th e dim inishing ju risdiction
of the C alcutta
U n iv ersity . T he m ovem ent for
fo u n d in g new
universities he characterized
as
separatist and recalled the days w hen th e C alcutta
U niversity held saw yover th e whole of n o rth e rn In d ia
%
H e d id not, how ever, 'gi udgc the sister province
a separate U n iv e rsity .’ O ne ’would have th o u g h t
th a t th e enum eration by the hon. P a n d it M adan
M ohan M alaviya, w ho preceded Mr. Basu, of the
num bers of universities in the U nited States, U nited
K ingdom ,
F rance and o th er w estern countries,
w ould have a t least im pressed him w ith th e fact
th » t th e num ber of universities in In d ia are w holly
inadequate to th e . educational requirem ents o f th e
^
*
c o u n try and*would have m ade him rejoice th a t one
m ore univ ersity was going to be founded.
But
probably he viewed th e gain to B ihar as a loss to
B engal. 'The hon. M r. V. S. Srinivasa S astri seem ed
to be undecided as to* w hat line to take w ith reference
tb ’th e fluggeation of M r. Sarm a th a t the uniyeraitie^
^
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5
)
should b e 'b u ilt u p on a linguistic basis, ând th o u g h
he d isapproved of M r. S arm a’s in te rn -g a tio n to Sir
Sankaran N a ir on th is p o int, he m entior ed a n um ber
o f instaBces in w hich th e linguistic principle was
accepted o r u rg e d for acceptance. M j S astri was
‘alarm ed to find som e essentially
re tio g ra d e steps
taken in th e B ill,’ a n d well he m ig h t be, for once the
pfinciples of th e B ill are accepted th re w ill be a
tendenc}', if we m ay ju d g e from th e rec< n t tre n d of
educational policy in the co u n try , to i itroduce the
sam e reactionary principles in th e o th er universitiesj
a n d th e ideal of self-governm ent in »ducation will
recede still fa rth e r. T he Bill in its *)resent form
desei'ves to be condem ned, a n d we tru s t th a t the
non-official m em bers will n o t s u p p o rt it, w hen the
tim e comes, u n less it is su b stan tially m odified and
its provisions are considerably liberalizer.
II
T h e P a tn a
in th e fia z e tte
clauses confirm s
Sankaran N a ir’a
U n iv ersity B ill has been published
o f In d ia and
a p* n isa l of its
th e im pression pro<l icod by. Sir
speech in in^^’oducing it, th a t it
is of a m ost retro g ra d e character, «i.d th a t if it
is n o t considerably m odified th e ui iversity th a t
w ill come into existence will be a m ore offiriali*ed body th a n a n y of th e existigg* universities
are. Such a u n iv e rsity will be a p o t n tial menace
to
,w h a t« re r
of
m dependende is
liSft
ta
the
{
s
)
%
ex istin g in stitutions,
rea^'tiona *y
inasm uch
p rin d p le
has
been
us,
w hen once a
embocîed
in a
legislative enacti lent, an effort is lik e lj to be
m ade to ex ten d its operation an d th e task of
those w ho w a n t th a t the co o sititution o f th e
ex istin g universities should be liberalized, so th a t
they m av become m ore o f self-governing in s titu
tions, will be rendered m ore difficult. P ro b ab ly
the m ost objectionable featu res of the Bill are
th e poshion of th e senate w hich will have no
pow er o r c o n tro l'in g voice, and th e larg e n u m b er
of m atte rs th a t are to be provided for b y re g u la
tions. W hatever p ro v h i ns
are necessary ^ for
reg u latin g th e constitution and affairs
of
th e
proposed univ ersity m u st, as far as possible, be
incorporated in th e
to regulations in
Bill, a n d should
th e
n o t be le ft
fra m in g of w hich
public
opinion is n o t likely to be consulted. T h e m atte rs
th a t a re to be provided for by reg u latio n s are :—
(u ) ‘T he durjition of th e term o f office of
the oVdinary men bers of th e syndicate a n d senate
in d u d in i; th a t of thT; first m em bers; (h) th e tim e
and m ode of a lf elections to th e syndicate or th e
senate, and th e filling of all cjisual vacancies therein
and all o th er m atti rs relatin g th ereto ; (c) th e co n s
titu tio n , powGr?? { n d d u ties of the faculties o r such
o th er bodies, as it m ay be deem ed necessaryj from
time to time, to appoint; (<i) the oouditions of *ap-
I
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)
*
pointm euE and tlie pow ers and d u ties of the reg istrar,
professors o r o th e r officers of th e univertiity, w h eth er
being m em bers o f th e univ ersity sta if'o r n o t ; (e) the
ap p o in tm en t a n d functions of g o v ern in g bodies of
th e colleges ; ( / ’) the adm ission of ( ducation d in stitu
tions as colleges, and th e w ithdraw al of privileges
from colleges so ad m itted ; (_(/) th e adm ission of
stu d e n ts to th e university and th e ir exam ination ;
(^ ) th e residential arrangem ents of stu d en ts of the
u n iv ersity ; (t) th e ap p o in tm en t and duties of e x a
m iners ; (?) th e conferm ent by th e univ ersity of
degrees, diplom as, certificates an<l o th e r academic
distinctions and the qualifications for th e sam e ; (/fc)
the w ithdraw al of degrees, diplom as, certificates and
o th er academic distinctions ; (^) th e general discipline
an d control of th e univ ersity and of
th e university ; (m ) th e accounts
th e use to be m ade of the funds o f
a n d (?i) all o th e r m atters relating to
tio n of the u n iv ersity .’
th e colleges of
to be k e p t and
th e u n iv ersity ■
th e a d m in istra
The* provisions relating to some of these
m atters oug h t to be included in the enactment
itself. F o r exam ple, the duration of officQ* of the
ordinary members of the syndicate and senate
including th a t of the first members should be
specified in th e Act. Then the conditions of the
w ithdraw al of degrees, diplomas, certi^cates, etc.,
should also be clearly mentioned in th e Act. The
•
(
8
)
I
powera given to the senate appear to be ridiculously
small. CIau» e 8 (4) th u s defines the pow ers o f th e
senate:—
•T he se iate m ay ( su b ject to th e coiffirm ation
of th e Chnncellor ) authorize the
co n ferrin g o f
hon o rary decrees of th e u niversity, a n d m ay de
liberate any question rela tin g to th e a d m in istra tio n
of th e unive sity, and come to a resolution there<w3 .
A copy of every such resolution shall be forw arded
to, and considered by th e syndicate,
be binding on th a t b o d y /
bu shall n o t
W h a t fl novel senate it m u st be w hich is to
have th e g r e it privilege of deliberating and passing
resolutions w hich m ay be treated as scraps of p ap er !
I t m ay be th o u g h t
th a t a senate w ith such
restricted po^:ers,— if th e perm ission to deliberate and
pass resolutif ns signifies th e possession of a n y pow er
a t all,— will be very liberally co nstituted. B u t th a t is
not the case. Clause 8 lays down th at **the senate
shall consist •>f n o t less th an fo rty n o r m ore th an
six ty o rd in a ry fellow's’ in addition to the follow ing
t s - o f c w fellow s:— •
•
«
(1) T h e m em bers o f th e E xecutive Council of
th e L ie u te n a u t'G o v ern o r of B ih ar and O rissa ;
(2 ) th ^ Chief Ju s tic e
J u d ic a tu re tt P a tn a ; •
of th e H ig h C o u rt of
,
I
( « )
(3)
t f e Bishop o f C hota N a g p u r;
/' 4) the D irector of P ublic In stru ctio n in B ihur
and O rissa; nnd
(5) th ^ P rincipal o f the P a tn a College and the
P rincipal of
th e H avenshaw
College, C uttack.
A lth o u g h th e senate will be a deliberative body
authorized to pass m ore o r leas im p o ten t resolutions
y e t it is to be reinforced by th e m em bers o f the
executive Council, th e
Chief
Ju s tic e
of the
H ig h C o u rt and,
stran g ely enough, th e B ishop
of C hota N a g p u r also. W hy th a t
m inister of
religion should be an e.c-o(jicio m em ber passes
o u r com prehension. W ho are to be the ordinary
fellows ? H ere is the provison reg a rd in g th e m :—
U pon th e expiration of the period o f office
of
th e first
senate,
the
next
and
every
ensuing senate shall include, in addition to the
nom inated
and
ex-offi.cio fellow s
herein-before
referred to . in th is
A ct, fo u r o rd in a ry
fellows
elected b y . the faculties co n stitu ted in accordance
w ith th e reg u latio n s, a n d eig h t elected by Ih e
th ree foregoing classes o f fellowg.
,
•
*
‘ P ro v id ed th a t, from such date as th e C h an
cellor m ay d eterm ine, th e num ber o f fellows to
be elected b y che first th re e classes^ shall be
reduced to such num ber as he m ay, from tim e
to tim e, prescribe and th e balance fihall thereafter
9
be elected by th e
U n iv e rsity .’ •
(
iO
)
registered
I
graduatCR of
tfie
T he above provisioufi m ake ItTelear th a t o u t of
60 m axim um and 40 m inim um n um ber of £ello^v«,
n o t m ore th a n tw elve will be elected of whicli
fo u r w ill
alw ays be elected
by the
faculties
c o n stitu te d in accordance w ith th e regulations, and
e ig h t will for th e p re se n t a n d till an io d e te rm in |te
tim e be elected by th e ri'-ofilcio anti nom inated
fellows a n d by tlie fellows elected by the faculties.
T h e Chancellor m ay, how ever, decide a t any tim e
to reduce th e
uunaber to
be elected b y th e
lirst th ree classes, and to direct th a t the balance
shall be elected by reg iste red graduates. I t wiU th u s
appciir th a t the senate will be a h ig h ly officialized
body and will be
coinpofced m ainly of official
and nom inated m em bers. If th e num ber of the
elected m em bers is to be tw elve
only th e n the
‘■Government can p u t in a m axim um o f 48 and
a m inim um of 28
nom inated m em bers. Such a
co n stitution o f the senate
does not
require
words of disapproval. Ft stands self-condemned.
T h e Chancellor is * to be vested
\vith th e pow er
*
•
of ap p o inting
th e university
stuff on
the
recom m endation .o f the syndicate, w hich k requiretl
to tra n sm it its
recom m endations
th ro u g h the
vice-chance!of. W h a t checks and counter-checks! H ut
th ere is a proviso to th is, and it is th a t th is p'rovisiuu.
(
(
11
)
'
shall nof uppl.V in ihe cuac of th r tem porary staff
piiiil from flio funds of the university in \vhi<-h «'a«e
the appointm ent shall rest with the syndicate. I'hose
w ho drafted th e Bill probably th o u g h t th a t it was
not aufe to en tru st to the syndicate w ithout any
reservation the pow’er of m aking even tem porary
appointm ents, and so words were added to make these
ajy)ointment3 subject to the sanction of the Chancellor.
As the vice-chancellor is the principal executive oAf^cer
o£|the university ‘and, shall when present, preside at
every m eeting of the syndicate or of any other
university body (except iti the senate when the
Chancellor is present j of which he is a n\envber’, it
might; lu v e been expected th at the members of
the syndicate would be elected by the senate, which
itself would be an overwhelm ingly official body. B ut
the Bill provides th at it shall consist of sixteen
members, of whom four are to be. nominated by the
Government, three, the Vice-chancellor, the Director
of Public Instruction and the Principal of the Patna
College, ave to be
and nine person.s
are to l>e elected b)’ the senate not as it likes
b u t subject to the restriction th a t five a t least oC those
whom they elect shall be members * of the uni
versity ^taff or of
the teaching staff of
the
colleges of the university. The Chancellor also in
nom inating four persons to th e syndicate, m ugtnom insite tw o who belong to the university or th e teaching
staff. ^These meinberi of the staff cannot )>e exptcSrV"
f -
■
>
(
12
)
^
ed to act independent]}’, and
m ay be* regarded,
w hether elected o r nom inated, as official
m em bers.
T h ere are only fo u r m em bers of th e syndicate left o u t
o f sixteen w ho m ay be elected by th e senate according
to its choice, and the co n stitu tio n of th a t body being
w h a t it will be th e chances of an
independent m an
g e ttin g into th e syndicate appears to be alm ost im
possible. Such are some of th e provisions of the
B ill for th e con stitu tio n of th e P a tn a U niversity.
B u t th ey do no t e x h a u st all th e objectionable p ro
visions of th e Bill. T h e official m ind could n o t have
conceived of a m ore unacceptable ty p e of univ ersity
th an the proposed P a tn a U niversity.
Form
The *^Times o f India**
A t th e m eetinjj of th e Indian L egislative Council
held on th e 2 7 th Septem ber, S ir S ankaran N air
m oved for and obtained leave to introduce a Bill to
establish a n d incorporate a univ ersity a t P a tn a . T h e
Bill was introduced a t th e same sitting* a n d has
since been published for the inform ation of the
public.* T he first featu re of the schem e em bodied
in th e Bill, w hich differs m aterially from th a t (*f tlie
e x istin g universities is th a t th e colleges adm itted
to th e privileges of th e new U n iversity will be of
tw o classes :
‘Colleges of the
U n iv e rsity / m eaning
th e P a tn a College, the T raining College for teachers*
I
( 13
)
*
ut Piitna, Jny other college wliich may be establi«hed
hereafter, and the buiMings of ■vvhiciimaj' he situated
w ithin one mile from the Senate ‘House of the
U niversity; and ‘external colleges,' meaning the
colleges a t present existing in or which may be
hereafter established in the tow ns of Muzaffarpore,
Bhftgalpur, Cuttack and K azaribsgh. The Bihar
National College at Bankipore, however, is to be an
external college. We understand this somewhat
complex classification more clearly when we come
to the clause in the Bill defining the relation of
th e U niversity to these tw o sets of colleges. T he
U niversity is to be deemed to have been incorporated
for tlje purpose, am ong others, of supervising imd
controlling the adm inistration of the cohcges of the
U niversity in all m atters of education and discipline
while its powers in respect of th e external colleges
are lim ited to inspection and supervision. Sir Sankaran
N air, in his speech, gave some fu rth er particulars
regarding th e diifcrnce proposed between colleges
of the U niversity and external colleges. The latter
w ith the exception of the Cuttack College and
th e Bihar National Cooll'»ge, are. to teach only up
to the B. A. Pa«s degree and th e •Interm ediate
science exaraination, all teaching for the higher
courses being conce^truedin the former. The original
scheme, as drafted by the Patnfw .UniverBity
Committee, was th at t^’ere should he a central
residential and teaching university a t Patna. This
I
\
(
if it had been, strictly
lulhered to vvaukl have
involved tli5 extinctic»n of th e colleges which already
exist in the raofussii tow ns of th e province.
E ven
if additional colleges, as proposed by tlje P a tn a
U niversity C om m ittee had been established in
P a tn a , this w ould have be<»n a serious h a rd sh ip
to the s tu d e n t a t p»*esent a tte n d in g th e m ofus«il
colleges. A s th e additional colleges cannot be started
ow ing to th e financial strin g en cy created by the
w ar for several years, th e idea »of co n centrating
hifrher education in B ihar in a single teaching a n d
residential university
a t P atnn. was abaolutc'y
im practicable. T h e original idea had therefore, to he
m odified and extended so to include amontj; th e
functions of th e
new U n iv ersity those o f .an
affiliating U n iversity of th e ty p e of th e ex istin g
Indian U niversities in relation to th e e x tern al
t;olleges.
T he mofuBsil colleges cannot be killed b u t they
are crippled by liniitiiit? the scope o f th e ir teach
iog.^ N o new college outside the five to w n s in
the province, w hich have colleges of th e ir own
a t prejfent, can be ad m itted even as an external
college to the previleges of the proposed U niversity.
I'h o anom aly of th is classification becomes morn
gl«ring when^ we consider th e diverse functions of
the vice-chancellor, tjie chief
the
U niversity,
in respect
executive ofiirer of
of each
of the*
I
( 1'^ )
*
two class^ls of colleges. T his officer is to be
entrusted w ith the control of all the* officers and
servants of the U niversity sn d its colleges, and to
perform , besides, th e functions of chief visiting
and inspecting officer of the external cjlleges.
A p art from th e physical impossiblity of one man,
though he be a full-time officer, supervising seven
colleges to sta rt w ith a t various parts of the
province, in addition to controlling tw o of them
at the capital city the inherent incompatibility
of bis position in relation to each of the two
sets of colleges, makes the arrangenient verge on
the grotesque.
^50 •m uch for the functions of the [)roposed
University. T he clauses of the Bill, defining its
constitution, are by no means more reassuring.
The powers proposed to be conferred on the
Chancellor, to begin witii, arc unprecedented in
th e anmds of Indian University legislation. He
may not only appiont four members to the syndicate,
b u t m ay ’cause any inquiry into any question
connected w ith the administrHtiou of the University
w'liich he m ay at any time <1eem ^xpedienr, to
l»e made by such persoUK ami in such m anner
as he may direct, and the orders he may pass
on the result of •û<h cnfjuiry be bindinir on
every authority and oiFicer of the Univeraitv.
Q fiictrs who rise to be Lioulcuuut-GoVfrn'drs of
'
(
I'-'
)
\
B ibar and Orissa are alw ays sure to be {vduiinisfrators of proved ability, b u t it is perm issible to
d oubt if they' will be invariably compe*-eDt to sit
in finni
ju d g m e n t as proposed, on th e alf^'irs
of a nniv«^rsity.
T h e syndicate is to consist of
sixteen m em bers, th re e ax-offido and fo u r to be
nom inated a« m entioned above by th e C hancellor.
T h e rem aining nine are to be elected by th e
senate fro m am ong its m em bers b u t n o t less th an
five should be m em bers of th e U n iversity staff o r of
the staff of colleges of th e U niversity. T h e syndicate
so co n stitu ted
is to be en tirely independent of th e
senate w hose resolutions are n o t to be binding upo n
it. T he senate can, indeed, uuike new reg u latio n s
o r alter ex istin g ones, b u t th e syndicate m ay d isa p
prove of them , and, in a n y ciise, th e final a u th o rity
in th e m a tte r is the local G overnm ent. T h e only
pow ers left to th e senate are to recom m end
to th e
C hancellor th a t h o n o ra ry degrees m ay be conferred
on em in en t persons, and a voice in th e a ffiliatio n of
colleges. T or the rest, it ‘m ay deliberate any
question relatin g to th e
ad m inistration of th e
U niversity, and come to a resolution
th ereo n .
A cop'y o f e fe r y such resolution shall bn forw arded
to , and considered by, the syndicate, b u t shall n o t be
b in d in g o n that, b o d y .’ T he experience of older
Uuiversitieft does n o t s\ip p o rt th e belief u n d e rly in g
th e schem e th a t syndicates, liowever c o n sttu te d „
I
f
are infallible bodies. T heir reaponsibility to the
aenate has always operated as a wholesome check
on their adm inistration of the affairs of Universities.
Discussions in the Senate are highly useful not merely
for th e fresh inform ation and breadth of view which
they bring to bear on questions concerning U niversity
problems, but as means of creating and stim ulating
public opinion regarding problems of higher educa
tion. W e need hardly say th a t such discussions to
be serious should not be of a merely ‘deliberative’
character, b u t should eventuate in resolutions which
direct and determ ine the policy and adm inistration
of U niversities. The Bill, as it is drafted, is far
from sU isfactory. W e have worked up in India to
a certain standard of independence and public spirit
in U niversity adm inistration. N o thing can be more
detrinaental to the grow th of higher education in this
country than th a t anything should be done to debase
th a t standard. W e need no rem inder th at Bihar and
Orissa is a ‘com paratively backward province, and
th a t the sfandard applicable to advanced provinces
cannot be applied to it. T h at is
good reason for
postponing the inauguration of a new . University,
not to start one which has little of a U niversity about
it b u t the name. The G overnm ent of India cannot
do better than refer the Bill to the older Universities,
whose good-will is of the firs^ im portance to every
new University, for th eir opinion and suggestion. ,
* T o o6r mind the best course will be either to start
(
18
)
^
f
the P atn a • ( ’uiver.sity largely on the same lines as
those of the - existing Universities, or to make it
entirely a residential and teaching U niversity, leaving
th e m ofussil colleges to be affiliated, some,* perhaps,
to th e Allahabad and others to the Calcutta
Universities.
From
“
The Express,’* Bankipore.
*
T.
Since the.creation of the new Province of Bihar and
Orissa it has been the ardent desire of our educated
people to make it a self-contained u nit of adm iostration w ith its Executive Council, its H igh C onrt and
its U niversity. I t is no w onder therefore th a t the
introduction of th e P atna U niversity Bill a t the last
m eeting of the Im perial Legislative Council would
be highly gratifying to the people of this province. It
m arks the fulfilm ent of one of the fondest hopes inspir
ed by the sym nathetic adm inistration of L ord H ardinge. W hatever our A nglo-Indian conferaporaries
may say, eve^'y well-wisher of our country cannot
b u t w tlcom e.the inauguration of a larger num ber of
Universities m inistering to the wants of an everincreasing num ber of young men of India. Several
new Universities have already sprung up and it is
earnestly expected th a t others will soon follow. No
better expression could be given to the popular desire
to m ultiply these great seats of learning than That of
I
(
19
)
’
His Majei^y the K ing-Em peror in his memorable
reply to the address of the Senate* of fthe Calcutta
U niversity while in India. “ I t is my wish,” said
His M ajesty, “ th a t there m ay be spread over the ând
a net work of schools and colleges, from which will
go forth loyal, m anly and useful citizens, able to hold
their own in industries and agriculture and all the
vocations of life. A nd it is my wish, too, th at the
homes of m y Indian subjects m ay be brightened and
their labour sweetened by the spread of know*
ledge and wdth w hat follows in its train, a
higher level of thought, of com fort and of
health” . In th e face of such a declaration of His
Majesty, th e Englishman^ which never loses any
opporttm ity of abusing Lord H ardingc has the
impudence to insinuate th a t there was no necessity
for creating a new U niversity. “ One would have
th ought”, says th a t paper, “ that the wiser policy
of the G overnm ent would
be to make the
U niversity
already in existe^'ce decently efBcient
instead of m ultiplying indefinitely institutions of
questionable w orth and unquestionable inefficiency.”
Efforts of men like the w riter in the Englishman
have always been directed to p u t obstacles rn the
nauip of efficiency to the advancement and spread
of higher education in India. O ur contemporary had
a fling at the Hon. r u u d it Madan Mohan Malaviya
for pointing out in the Council how deficient
Ifidia was in the num ber
of Universities whpn
'
(
20
)
I
com pared w ith the civilised countries
th e west.
The E n g li^ m a n m ust know th a t th e “ in d u strial
progress and- efficiency of a country and th e moral
standard of her people ” depend chiefly on the
advancem ent of education helped by the * establish
m ent of a large num ber of Universities.
The main feature of the P atn a
U niversity
scheme originally was th a t there should be a central
residential and teaching U niversity. B ut th e present
financial stringency has modified it for the present
and th e Bill provides th at th e P atn a portion of
th e U niversity should be started only on the
basis of tw o Colleges, the P atna College and th e
T raining College tor teachers now in existence.
T he original proposal contemplated the establishm ent
in addition to these, of a new college under the
name of K ing’s College, a Mission College and
a Sanskirt College; b u t this portion of the scheme
has been abandoned for the reason m entioned
above. T he
Colleges situated
outside
P atna
including the Behar N ational College, Bankipur,
will be treated as external Colleges. The exclusion
of th e Diamond Jûbilee College of M onghyr from
th e *pale of the U niversity is indeed a m atter
of surprise to us.
M ongpyr is one of th e m ost
im portant districts of th e province and the College
has been, supplying the educational needs of a
large num ber of yopng men of Bihar. If it is badly
managed and badly equipped at present it shouM
I
(
21
)
have bee|i the du ty of the| U niversity authorities
to iiiftlce it ay efficient as th e ofliea Colleges. If
financial stringency is in the way of their establishing
new Colleges in the province they should a t least
try to fmprove these which alretidy exist instead
of seeing them disappear from the field of their
useful labour. A deep disappointm ent has also been
felt by the educated men of our province a t the
retrograde nature of some of the provisions of the
Bill. One of these is to centre all power in
the Syndicate and make it independent of the
Senate which is more or less guided by public
opinion. The constitution should be made more
liberal and m ore free from official control. In accordance w ith the provisions of the Bill, as it is now
framed, there will be a full-tim e Vice-Chancellor who
will be all in all in th e U niversity. U nder such cir
cumstances the members of the Senate or the S yndi
cate will be able to exercise very little independence.
The Vice-Chancellor will control all the officers and
servants of*the U niversity: the Syndicate will control
the courses of study, the exam ination and all m atters
of education in the Colleges of^the U niversity.
•
•
The Senate is only to be a deliberative body and
alm ost a cipher. Its resolutions will not be binding
on the Syndicate. Besides there are hard and fast
rules for admission of educational instifufions to the
privileges of the U niversity, f o r instance, no Colleges
»
(
J
will be affiliated to the Univertiity w hith are not
situated w iîn* one mile o£ the Council House at
Patna nor are in one o£ the four existing College
centres, i e., Bhagulpore, Cuttack, Haaaribagh and
Muzafferpore. We hope the reactionary provisions
of the Bill will be om itted by the committee before
which it will soon be placed. T he present Bill
appears to have been designed to reduce non-official
intervention and co-operation to a minimum . B ut
it is earnestly hoped th at this objectionable feature
will disappear before the Bill is finally pnssed.
n.
The Indian Universities A ct which wavS passed
during the V W royalty of L ord Curzon introduced
a reactionary policy in th e educational udministrp.tion
of th e country. For the first time since the inaugu
ration of Indian Universities the people of India were
taken to be unfit to manage their own educational
affairs. W hen the Bill was before the Im perial
Legislative Council, th e late Mr. Gokhalc entered a
a strong protest against the measure a n d ‘ said th at
“ it ’am ounted to a form al declaration on th e part of
the Go.vernment of India, made w ith th e concurrence
of the Legislative Council, th a t the system of
U niversity education which has been in vogue in this
country for the last fifty years has been a failure,
and th a t thS ihen educated under th a t system have
proved themselves unw orthy of being associated, in*
I
( 23 )
•
•
any appreciable degree, witli the adm hiistration of
their own U niversities.” In every civilised country
the people are associated in a greater degree in the
work of education than in any other departm ent of
adm inistration, and they are allowed to initiate
progressive reform s in educational m atters to suit
their altered circumstances. All im partial critics will
beHr testim ony to the ability and w orth of th e em i
nent Indians w ho have h itherto been placed by
Governm ent in charge of educational adm inistration,
and we believe there was never any im putation
against them of unfitness to appreciate and attend
to th e needs and aspirations of the youtlxs of their
country.
T h e P atn a U niversity Bill is decidedly a retrograde
measure, and by an irony of fate it has fallen to
the lo t of ft great Indian educationist to introduce
it in th e Council. We believe th e educated people
of our province, who were h itherto elated w ith joy
at th e th o u g h t th a t the establishm ent of the Uatna
U niversity would be the culm inating step in the
construction of self-contained Bihar and Orissa, are
veering round in their view and now prefer to
continue under th e oM U niversity of Calcutta. The
Bill, as it stands at present, cannot evoke any
enthusiasm of the educated Biharees. I?ome of the
members of the Im perial Legislative Council have al
ready Expressed their disapproval and disappoint-
(
24
I
)
{
m ent und the lio n ble Pundit Mudan Mohan
Malavya very • righ tly observed th a t the people
of the country expected to march a step forw ard
and not backward.
*
T h e Syndicate is
im p o rta n t a u th o rity
supposed
to be th e m oat
in th e U n iv ersity a n d we
should therefore exam ine th e constitution a n d the
pow ers given to this body
by the Bill.
Its
pow ers have been defined in sec. 7 cl. (4) which
ru n s th u s :— “ T he Syndicate shali have th e e n tire
m anagem ent of, and superintendence over, the
affairs, concerns a n d p ro p e rty of th e U n iv e rsity ;
shall control th e courses of s tu d y , th e exam ination
and
all m atte rs of education in th e Colleges
o f th e U niversity, shall be responsible fo r th e
supervision and inspection
of such m a tte rs in
th e ex tern al Colleges, and shall regulate th e fees
to be charged by th e U n iv ersity and th e C olleges,”
A s for th e co n stitution, it is laid dotvn t h a t th e
Syijdicate shall consist o f sixteen merabfirs in c lu d
in g the D irector of P ublic In stru ctio n , th e ViceC hancdllor aijd th e P rincipal o f the P a tn a College
w ho shall alw ays be ex-officio m em bers thereof.
O f th e rem aining th irte e n , th e Chancellor, who
shall alw ays be th e L ieu ten an t-G o v ern o r of Bihar
and O rissa for th e tim e
being, shall nom inate
fo u r, of w hom n o t less th a n tw o shall be mem-*
hers o f th e
U niversity staff
or of
the sftff of*
I
(
)
the Colleges. Tlie reinuining nine slmll be elected
by the Senate £rom among its members “ o£ whom
not less than five shall be members of the
U niversity staff or of the teaching staff of the
Colleges of the U niversity.” T he names of the
members of th e U niversity staff will be declared
by the Chancellor on th e recommendation of the
Syndicate.
“ Colleges of th e U niversity” means
for th e present a t least the P atna College and the
P atna T raining College.
T he Syndicate thus would consist of sixteen
members, three of whom would occupy seats
cx-officio, four are to be nom inated by tlie Chancellor
and nine to be elected by th e Senate. O f the
last, not less than five m ust either be on the
U niversity staff or on th e staff of the P atna
College and th e P atna T raining College for the
present. O f th e four nominated by the Chancellor
not less than two m ust either be on the U niversity
staff or on th e staff of th e Colleges recognised
by the U niversity.
T hus there is no express 'provision f/>r the
representution of the external Colleges,
five in
number, while the tw o Colleges of tlie U niversity,
one of which is m eant only to m anufacture teachers
have been over-represented. I t is Just possible
^ h a t the Chancellor m ay nominate one or two
•members from th e staff of the external colleges
(
2G
)
^
1
I
but he will •have to satisfy other powerful interests
as well. T hus' th e representation of the external
Colleges on the Syndicate is reduced to a mere
possibility, and even then it depends upon the
will of th e Chancellor. He is under no statutory
obligation.
The external Colleges play a more im portant
part in the intellectual development of the province
than perhaps w hat the authorites realise. E ven on
a modest computation th e external Colleges educate
students four times more than th e P atna College,
the P atna T raining College being m eant only to
train teachers. Such being the case, the external
Colleges ought to have been liberally represented
on the Syndicate.
T he Syndicate should not be vested w ith absolute
powers. I t may represent the views of experts,
b u t experts m ay be sometimes in tjio w rong.
Besides, Governm ent officials are not ^he only
experts in
the country.
T he deliberations of
th e Senate have not been made bindinff upon
th e Syndic‘at6. W hy should there be a departure
in a w rong and untried direction from a wholesome
practice passes beyond our comprehension.
•
•
We now pass on to a consideration of the
Senate, its constitution and the powers it will*
wield. I t shall consist of not more than " s ix ty
j
(
)
•
n o r less I th a n fo rty o rd in a ry fellows, in addition
to th e eig h t ex-officio fellow s. Of these o rd in ary
fellow s th e Chancellor shall nom inate such of them
.as are no t required b y the A ct to be elected. F o u r
ordinary* fellow s w ill be elected b y th e faculties
a n d e ig h t by th e th ree foregoing classes o f fellow s.
T h e registea’cd g rad u ates m ay
be em pow ered to
elect som e b y
reducing th e num ber to be elected
b'y th e th re e foregoing classes, if it so pleases th e
C hancellor. T h u s, if th e Senate
o rd in a ry fellow s, its to tal s tre n g th
consists of 40
w ould be fo rty
e ig h t o f w hom ( I j eight w ould be ex-officio fellows (2)
fo u r elected b y th e faculties fS ) tw e n ty -e ig h t nom ina
te d b y th e Chancellor and e ig h t elected by th e three
foregoing classes of fellows. O f the s ix ty o rd in ary
fellows fo rty -e ig h t w ould be nom inated. A n d still the
deliberations of the Senate have n o t been m ade
binding on th e Syndicate. T h is provision is p e r
haps defended on th e ground th a t th e control o f the
I'n iv e rsity s h o u ld be in th e hands of e x p erts. T he
Senate is nom inated body a n d it is not expected
th a t th e C hancellor w ould lill it w ith iacoiiipgtcnt
m en of d o u b tfu l qualifications. *^loreover, th e facul
ties are n o t represented on th e Sym licate.* T here
should be som e p opular check upon th e officials w ho
w ould com pose th e Syndicate, and an appeal should
lie to th e Senate from th eir decisions. , l § i t seriously
asserted th a t th ese officers w ould be infallible.®
•
(
i',S
)
j
T h e n again th e final voice in m atters o £ | affiliation
and disaffiliation* o f Colleges w ill lie in th e hands of
th e local G overnm ent. These and o th er provisions
of th e B ill show beyond d o u b t th a t it places no con
fidence either in th e people or in the noftiinees of
local G overnm ent o r even in th e ir official subordinates)
and hence an a tte m p t has been m ade a t centralisation
of all pow ers in the local G overnm ent.
T hen, again, w hy should no t Colleges be recognised
if th ey are n o t located e ith er in M uzaffarpur, Bhag alpur, C uttack, H azaribagh o r w ith in one m ile of
th e Senate H ouse? T ake th e case of G aya. T h ere
are four H .
E.
schools
in th e tow n
and
five in the Sub-divisions, including those lately
established. G aya reciuires a College. Tliere is a
d em an d for it. T h e d istric t o f C h u p ra has te n H .
E . schools a n d
it should have also a Collc£re.
T h e effect of th e A ct w ill surely be to check th e
g ro w th o f educational in stitu tio n s in th e province.
T h e Vice-Chancellor shall be a wdiolo tim e paid
officer.
In d ian s a m h ard ly expect to got ih is post,
a t least for the present, th o u g h th ere is no s ta tu to ry
disability. T h e p resen t In d ia n U niversities have
h o n o rary Vice-C hancellors and the w ork goes on
sm oothly. T here are persistent efforts in the Bill to
elim inate non-official elem ent and th is does n o t
savour wcll*for th e fu tu re progress o f B ehar and
O rissa.
•
I
I
(
Fron% the
“
21 )
)
Modern Riview** Calcutta.
m
AVu
a t
P
a tn a
U
n iv e u s it y
is
I
n t e n :d e d
to
do
.
I n in trjd u c in g th e P a tn a U n iversity B ill S ir C
Sankiiran N air said th a t “as soon as th e new province
of B ihar and O rissa was c o n stitu ted in 1D12 it was
recognised th a t in order to m ake it a self-contsiined
province it w as necessary to fu rn is h it w ith tw o
in stitu tio n s in particular, vi/.., a H ig h C ourt a n d a
U n iv e rsity .” P revious to th is th e “ B eharee,” had
w ritte n in the course of a leading article :—
“ W e have alw ays pointed o u t to th e public as well
as to th e G overnm ent th e ab so lu te necessity of
ex p e d ilin g th e estab lish m en t of th e P a tn a U n iversity
an d th is we have done, n o t because we b a te th e
province o f B engal from w hich we have separated
ourselves, again, n o t because wq dislike th e p re se n t
adm in istratio n of th e C alcutta fin iv ersity , h u t because
we are an^sious to m ake o u r province fu lly self-con
tained. The* idea of o u r h av in g a separate univ ersity
has its origin in o u r Iving- U m pcror whcji he an n o u n c
ed th e fo rm atio n of th e province of B ehnr as a
separate e n tity ; and th ere after latet' on w hen i.t was
m ore d istinctly announced by L ord H ard in g e the
surm ises o f th e th o u g h tfu l people were th a t the
C alcutta U n iversity w ouhl be the p ro to ty p e o f the
proposed one- W e had n o t th en clam oure’d lo r a name
w hich
w ould
be
u tte rly incapable of exercising its
(
)
«
controlling infi^ênce in d ep en d en t o f th e lu re a u cra tic
influence anfl to th is day w hen w e req u est o u r G overn
m en t to establish th e P a tn a U n iv ersity , we do so w ith
th e full know ledge th a t th e U n iv e rsity we shall g e t will
be equipped w ith all th e im provem ents tlia t^ a v e m ade
th e Calcutta U niversity so d istin c tly enviable in th e
eyes of oth er U niversities. W e w ant a U n iv e rsity
w hich should be sim ilar to th e C alcutta U n iv e rsity .”
In th e Im perial L egislative Council, wlien S ir C.
Sankaran N air h a d finished speaking, M r. K rish n a
Sahai of B ihar rose to su p p o rt the P a tn a U niversity
B ill and observed in th e course of his speech: ‘‘T h e
establishm ent of a separate fln iv ersity for B ih a r and
U rissa will m ake th e province fu lly self-contained.”
I t is clear th en th a t both G overnm ent a n d th e
people of B ih ar in te n d and desire th a t P a tn a U n iv e r
sity should m ake th e province “ self-contained” in
education. T he use of the expression “self-contained”
b y S ir Sankaran N air, M r. K rish n a Salmi a n d the
‘‘B eharee” alike is ra th e r a curious coincidence.
j>eople also
desire,
as
wc find
it
T he
stated in the
“ B e h a re e /’ th a t th ^ new U niversity chould be sim ilar
to th e C alcutta U niversity.
SV h A T
is
“ S E L l-'-C O X T A IN E T ) ” ?
T h e qiiestion is, will th e P a tn a U n iv ersity , as it
g o in g to be' cbnstituted, m ake B ihar a n d Orisea *‘selfQohtained” ? E v en th e best and m o st lavishly e n d o ^ .
( •‘’-1 )
I
ed universities in the w orld do n o t teach ail
C am bridge and O xford do n o t teach
subjects.
all the
subjects in w hich th e U niversity of B irm ingham ,
fo r e x a m ^ e , specializes. B a rv a rd does n o t excel
in every one o f the subjects in w hich Colum bia
excels. N o r arc even pow erful a n d prosperous
in d ep en d en t countries “ self contanied ” as regards
ed u tatio n . P rev io u s to th e w ar th e re were G erm an
stu d e n ts in G reat B ritain and B ritish stu d en ts in
G erm any. T echnology is certainly n o t as w ell ta u g h t
in g re a t B rita in as it is in G erm any. F o re stry is
a n o th e r subject in which G erm any axcels. A s regards
India, n o t to speak of a n y single prevince, the
w hole 'c o u n try is n o t self-contained in education..
G o vernm ent recognise th e fact by closing the
Im p erial Services to all In d ian s >vho are graduates
o f In d ia n U niversities only, a n d g iv in g a p p o in t
m en ts in th e m to a v ery few
in foreign U niversities.
w ho have gorduated
•
So, th o u g h it is a legitim ate am bition
to wish
to m ake a province self-contained in education, it
is also certain th a t th e P a tn a U niversity cannot
m ake B ilîr a n d O rissa
self-contained
in any
broad sense. B u t even
in th e narrow sense
in which th e ex istin g
In d ian U niversities have
m ade five provinces self-contained, th e
P a tn a
U niversity w ill no t m ake B ihar a n d Orissa sejfcontiiinal. F o r n either from th e speech of Sir. C.
(
32
)
I
Sim karan ]^.ur, n o r from th e P a tn a U niversity
B ill itself, ean anybody be encouraged to hop©
th a t th is new U n iv ersity will have a n y th in g to do
w ith teaching m edicine, E n g in e erin g , or Com m erce
I n an o th er respect th is new U n iv ersity
w ill be
glarin g ly deficient. A t p resen t th e re a re collegiate
classes in B ankipore and C uttack fo r teaching
W'Cinen stu d en ts up to th e In term ed iate standtird
of th e Calcuttii U n iv ersity . A m ong th e U n iv e rsity and
E x te rn a l
Colleges
w hich
are
m entioned in
Sir
S ankaran N air’s speech and th e B ill as co n stitu en t
p a rts o f th e U niversity, Ave do no t find these
olaspGs m entioned anyw here for the establishm ent
of a W oineA s College. U nlike Bom bay a n d some
o th er r ^ r ts o f th e c o u n try ,
B ihar is a p u rd ah stricken province and even in purda-£»’ee B om bay
people hnive felt th e need of a separate college for
w om en. So in B ihar th e co-education of m en and
w om en is o u t of th e question. B u t if^there be n o t
co-education th ere should be arrangem ents m ade
fo r th e separate h ig h er
education of w'omen. A t
pres^^nt th ere inaji be no dem and fo r th e h ig h er
ednca’tion of • Avomcn am ong th e indigenous popula.
tion o f th e province a n d th e dem and am ong *hem
even for th e elem entry education o f g irls m ay be
sm all ; b i jt , a t least fo r th e g irl’s schools of tlie
province hidy teachers wiU be rcfpiired w ho have
received h ig h er education.
•
•
I
(
<
T h e
in
cryôE
B ihar.
B ih a r fo r th e B ihariy
B u t
(hM -fois,
in
"
liow
w ill th e
iis
v ery
p o p u la r
p rovince
g et
R iliaree
B ilu iri c n g i n e e i s tiiul B iliuri
siilhrhpit
C o lle g i'.
m m ilK T s
ail
unless
] h i g i i i ( ‘e r i n g
('(ill(*ge a s e o M i p o i i e n t
t
)
school
there
( ‘o l l e g x *
jm r ts o f tlie
a
an<l
a
B utiiU
M e(li<"al
W 'o n ie irs
I n i v e r s i i v •?
•
h
w oulil he u n a r r o w
(\^leg c:iii a n y
fro m
jirovincc
afiy o t h e r
m v rin g
large
to
th ey
adm it,
O riv a
B u t
no
of the
an d
have
a<lm is>ion
refuse
su ch
a n d
^, r
it
a
for
aiiv
f'lu d eu f>
K ngi-
is M ih ie ie n tly
j u ’o v i u e e
w h o
as a m a ile r of fa d
to
eviaw
a eonîderahie
eannoi, th erefo re, he exjiected
!’. > s i o n a l
train
to
i\letlieal o r
India
l n ’. a d m i i r e » l ;
to
policy
its d o o rs
stu d en ts
m m ih e r of stu d en ts,
th a t a n y
illiheni]
province o f
to a d m i t all
w a n t
a n d
to d o s e
])ro\iuce.
(.'o lleg c in a n y
y e ar
C ollege
M iilieuait
w i l l lie
n u n ib e r
of
ahle
to
B ihari an d
stiu len i.-'.
S i'E c iA i, X
in
n o
o i- Till-; P
keds
* [ » r o \ ‘i n e e
of
India,
r o v in c e
an<l
cieiitlv
ex p lo it
its
A vhole e o i m t r y
m aterial
is
in
a
.
eertainly
P » i h a r a n ^ l D r i s s a , h a v e , t h e ])oo]>lc' h e e n
th e
luistrcsscs
he
rescnirees.
h ack w ard
ahle
not
to
in
sulli-
Inrhislriall\
copdiiion.*
F<»r
j l i l i ' e r e J i t p r o v i n c e s , t l i e l i i H . . - > . o f i n < l u s t r i a l a d \ a n ( ‘e m a v
he
.som ew liat
yoal-liehU
incUi(U*<l.
•leccssnry
d itl'eren l.
am i
o th er
W lu it
th a n
'W o u ld
to
In
tlii'
n e w
iiiiireraM > earing
iuive
In*
a
nio iv
C ‘o l l e g ( ?
i n ’o v i n e e l a r g e
areas haW '
I k 'c i i
ap p rn |* riu to
a n d
teach in g
m in in g ,
(
34
)
engineering^ m iiieralogj', inetiillurgy and âllied suljjects ? A gain, tlicre are extensive ag ricultural areas,
producing rice, w heat, .sugar-cane, indigo, &c. W h a t
is m ore necessary th a n to have a fac u lty />£ agi’icultu rc in th e new U n iversity "with a College devoted to
tlie teaching of th e s u b je c t? T ru e , w e have th e
College a t P usu. B u t it docs n o t an d will n o t form
p a rt of any U niversity, and does n o t g ra n t U n iversity
degi‘ces. T here are large forest areas in O rissa and
C hota N a g p u r, m aking it extrem ely desirable to m ake
th e h ig h est education in forestry available in th e
province. L a stly , O rissa has a long
sea-coast.
W h en th e ancient m aritim e and m ercantile h isto ry of
O rissa is p roperly w ritte n by some O riya scholar, the
m aritim e an d com m ercial enterprise an d achie\'em cnts
of th e province ■vvill be fully undeistood, a n d he,.
p resen t and fu tu re jx)ssibilities m easured to som e
e x te n t. 11' th e O riyas w ere sufficiently educated and
h ad ti gov ern m en t u n d e r popular control, th e y w ould
certainly tr y to have some good harlx)ur^ along th eir
sca-shore. A progressive gov ern m en t o u g lit certainly
to n n ak e arran g em en ts for teacliing sh ip -b u ild in g and
navigation to the ]-)eople of Orissa.
%
B u t th e new U n iversity is n o t going to m eet th e
special needs of th e province. I t w ill fo r th e m ost
p a rt tu rn pi^t pleaders and clerks, w ho are u n d o u b ted
ly required ; b u t w as,a new U niversity needed for th e
puj'pose ?
(
U ^4.Q U A L
)
F a C IU T IE S FOR
T IJE
SU B-
PROY IN CES AND D IS T R IC T S . *
T h e province of B ihar anti O rissa consists of
th re e sub-provinces w itli tiie attached N ative States.
T h e ir area an d population arc
S ub-province
A rea in sq. m .
Bihuv
OiTssa
Chota N a g p u r
42361
41789
37679
P o pulation.
23752969
8938316
5754008
T h e d istric t of Snnthal P arg an as geographically
form s p a rt of 01iota-N ag|Jur;
M unbhum geographiGilly and linguistically fo n n s p a r t o f B engal, and a
jxntiofl of P iirn ea, too, form s p a rt o f B engal. B u t
all tliese tra c ts ha^ê been included in th e a d m in istra
tiv e sub-province of B ihar, th ereb y m aking it appear
la rg e r ai^d m o re j>oj)u]oiis th a n i t is. S till O rissa
contains m ore th an one-th ird o f th e population of
B ihar, and C hota N a g p u r contains one-fourth
of th e poi5ulation of B iliar. B u t B ihar will be
served
b y *5 colleges, O rissa
b y one and
Chota
N a g p u r b y one. A m ong th e Cohegos to 1h* entmely
su p p o rted by G overnm ent, tw o are in BiJiar, oiife is in
O rissa (n o t so w ell-equipped as P a tn a C ollege), and
none in Chota. N agpur,
B u t it is w hen wo look a t th e areas
th e su b
provinces th a t th e ir unequal cdilcational facilities a p
p ear rtiil m ore g laring. B ih a r and Orissa, are a’*
41
J
(
('(pial ill e x t c r i t ^ u i i d if
3«
tin ;
)
n r t ilid a l
Ilihiir a n ; tatcoii u w a y , O r is s a
t r a e t t l i a n liilia r .
#
is
a
m ore
JUit B i h a r is t o
th (' <-<iu(“.itioiial raeililie“^ of'
nppViidjiiii's o f
Innc
O rissa.
e x te n s iv e
live
Cliotî
lias t w o - t l i i n l s tlio a re a of^ B ih a r a n d
ti m e s
Kaii‘| n i r
w o id d
aj;j)ear
l:ir;Li-er still, il' t h e S a n t h a l I ’are-anas w e r e add(>d t o it.
Blit C lio lu Na<i'j)ur is n o t to h a v e
e\en
t h e I’d iiea liu iia l fa c ilitie s (jf H ihai’.
T lie
o n e-th ird of
oreater
part
ol O r is s a c o n s is ts o f s m a ll X a t i v c S t a t e s ; a s t h e Bnfiniit ' h i e f s a r e m o s t l y lik e sm a ll la n d - h o h le r s . a n d
u m ler
t h e n d n h i i i s t r a f n 'e e o n r r o l (»f (h e C o m m i s s i o n e r o f t h e
O ris s a D iv isio n , a n d e a n n o t h a v e s e p a r a te ( n i \ ’e rs itie s
o r Colleii’es o f t h e i r o w n .
w e l a n ’e na tiira llv . ta k e n
O r is s a to m e a n t h e w lio le ri'î-ion denote<I
n a m e , iHith “ Britisld* a n d ” .in d ia m ’
In (jU(‘stio n s o f educational
liv
tliat
facility area is an
im ]io rtu n l co n sid eratio n . F o r tliis re aso n in official
odiK iitional ro])orts o n e som etim es fin d s i t sta te d th a t
in su ch a n d sueli a jiro v in ce tlie re is one scIkmjI in
evcvv thvtMj s<jui\re tu iles o r in ev ery ^six sijuare
m i]es. In s titu tio n s situ a te d a t a ^ re a t flistance from
th in s tu d e n ts ’ iionie;'
major'Vt.v ol* th o se
are n o t o f an^' ii.se tO ’ rhi'
wIk) are pooi*.
H ence i t is
im p o rta n t to h e a r in m ind th a t O o v e rn m e n t is
<v()\UL^ to p ro v id t' iu Oris.su o n e C'olleê fo r an area
o f il.T S t) sijiinre m iles a n d no S la te C ollege in (h o r n
N’agqair la it o n ly o n e aid ed C h ris ta n M ission C olle»e
for^ an area o f i'T.
sipiare m iles, T h e languagt^
(
n i ’ Uiluii'
not
.-i'
)
ilu*
f' f (jri>s;i ai i ' l il
l)iit o n e
l l i c p r i n c i j u i l huiui ui'î ' <>f ( fiotsi
I t i>, t l u ' n ' l ’u r f , nil tin.’ tiK*ri.‘ n r c r - s a n '
W
lliai
I'uch j<ul)-.j>?’ovi!i<-r s j n m M I k* s((/rjcuMitlv ('fvn i ik'd u itli
cducnlionnl iW ilitics wiiUin
its o w n h o r d t r s .
If wo exam ine the facilities to bo enjoyed by
th e different di.strict.s ‘ of th e province, th e num h ^ ' of colleges strik e ns us ex trem ely inudeqnute.
T h e live districts or ra th e r tow ns of Patxia,
M uzafferpore, B hagalpnr, C uttack and H azaribagh,
o u t of a to ta l of tw enty-one d istricts, are to
have Colleges. A t p re se n t M o o g h y r has a -College,
b u t it is to be abolished. In B engal, w ith which
th e neu' province is still educationally connected,
th ere are only about h alf a dozen d istric ts, like
K an g p u r, B ogra, F arid p iir, O io ajp u r, etc , which
have n o t g o t
being m ade in
colleges.
B ut
K u iig p u r and
active
efforts are
I ’arid p u i’ to sta rt
Colleges and in a few y e a rs, it is to be hoped,
th a t no d istric t of B engal will be w ith o u t a
College.
C o i.L ix iiA T E
K D t:rA T io N
M
a i^k
S
t a t i o ,n a u v
•
!
•
T h e m ost asto n ish in g feature of the. Bill
is th a t it practically m akes Ldiiversity education
stationary in the pruMiwc. A inl thi& îs a provi
nce of which ^ ro f. d a d u n a d i S arkar, w ith his
*17 y ^ irs o f service there, speaks in his
p resid
(
ential address
as follow s
)
th e Bihiiri S tu d e n ts ’ ftonferonce
“ B ih ar has been 50 years b ehind th e o th er
provinces in ta k in g to E n g lish ed u c atio n , a n d
m u st m ake m ore ex ertio n s th a n th e y to come
to th e fro n t line an d tak e h e r leg itim ate plaee
in th e m arch o f natio n al p ro g ress.”
A s we a re concerned
h ere only
w ith
U n iv e rsity education, le t u s see how fur b ehind
som e of th e o th er provinces o f In d ia th e new
province lags.
A ccording to th e B ill i t is to
have only seven Colleges. W ith th is fig u re and
som e o th ers taken from th e SinH sikal AOstraci
/o r UTi^tSfi In d ia Vol. V , 1915, w e have r»VAn»rpd
th e follow ing table
P rovince.
P o p u latio n .
N u m b e r o f Colleges
B engal
4.5,483,077
M adras
41,405,404
Bom bay
19,072,642
U n ited Provinces 47,182,044
5
X
39
.
15
49
P u n ja b
19,974,956
I9
B ihar 4 O rissa
34",490,184
7
W ith th re e -fo u rth s of th e p o p u lation o f Bengal
th e new province is to have less th a n one-seventh of
th e n u m b er, qf Colleges in th e latte r.
W ith m ore
th a n th re e -fo u rth s o f. th e population o f M adras it is
to have less th a n one-fifth of th e la tte r’s num ber o f '
»
•
(
->n
Colleges. * W ith nearly
B om bay and
P u n ja b
)
double
th u
population of
it is n o t to have
even half
th e n um ber o f Colleges each of th em possesses. W ith
n early th je e -fo u rth s of th e population of th e U nited
Provinces it is to have one-seventh o f its num ber of
Colleges.
“ B u t,” th e
wSl have m ore
roll o n !” N o, if
F o r th e Bill lay s
reader m ay exclaim , “ surely B ihar
Colleges in th e near fu tu re as years
th e Bill passes in its p resen t form .
it dow n definitely th a t
( 2 ) N o educational in stitu tio n shall be adm itted
as a College of th e U niversity, unless th e follow ing
conditions are com plied w ith , nam ely :—
(a) th e
College buildings are
situ ate w ithin
one m ile from th e Senate H ouse of th e U niversity.
(3) N o educational in stitu tio n shal be adm itted
as an e x te rn al College, unless th e follow ing con
ditions are ^complied w ith , nam ely ;
( a ) th e College buildings are situate w ithin one
of th e follow ing
tow ns, nam ely :— M uzuffarpur,
B hagalpore, C u ttack , o r flazaribagh.
I t m ay be contended th a t in th ese five to w n s of
P a tn a , M uzaffarpur, B h ag alp u r, C uttack aud H azaribagh, th ere m ay be m ore Colleges in fu tu re .
. is possible, b u t n o t v ery
tv h y .
probable.
5ês, it
IVe shall
say
(
K'
)
I t will be i^pncedcd th a t in the ni‘\l province
G overninent are follow ing a policy w ith reg ard to
U niversity education which is n o t m ore progressive
th a n th a t followed in the rest of India. T herefoi’c in
U ibar G overnm ent m ay be expected n o t to encourage
th e establishm ent of Colleges in larg er num bers th an
elsew here. P a tn a Itas and is to have th re e Colleges,
I ts population is U16,lo.‘). S o o th er to w n in In d ri,
w ith a population nearly ef[Ual to it, has th re e or m ore
th a n tlire e Colleges. In fact, th e tow ns of Allahabad^
L ahore, Lucknow , M adras, Bom bay and C alcutta,
w hich have m ore th a n th ree Colleges each, are m ore
p o p u ’ous th a n P atn a. T h o u g h m ore populous th an
!*atna, A hnieu aban, A iiiritsar, B enares, ( a v n p u r
and.Ivaraehi, have n o t g o t th ree Colleges each. It
ja therefore n o t ])robablc th a t P a tn a will be p r i
vileged to have m ore th an th e colleges - it has, u n
less th e Bill is changed or a
m ore liberal policy
followed.
A s regards th e o th er College tow ns*in th e P roviiico, B hagalpur is the m ost populous am o n g th em
a n d its population j s
Iso tow n in B ritish
IndiaV vith approxim ately th is population has m ore
th a n onc^ Cidiego. h i
Ihm gal, w hich
has m ore
(.■ollegeh than any o th er province of India, the only
o th e r towi^ bêsides C alcutta which has m ore than one
College is Dacca, whi<;h has a p o p u latio n o f 1 0 8 ,o o l,
I t is no t probable th en th a t B hagalpur or th e lessi
(
)
popu lo u s t o w D S o f C uttack, ilu z n ffa rp ijr, a n d H a ia riDagh w ill have m ore Colleges tlân one each.
I t is a stra n g e principle th a t th e Bill has a d o p t
ed, nam ely, th a t those to w n s w hich have Colleges
now m ay have m ore, b u t those w hich have n o t g o t
an y m u st n o t have even one! T h is is ta n ta m o u n t to
say in g , th o se w ho are sufficiently o r insufficiently
fed piay have m ore food, b u t th o se w ho a re absolute
ly sta rv in g m u s t n o t have a n y ! I t is alm o st an
accident th a t som e tow ns have Colleges and otiiers
l)ave not. D a r b h a n ^
is m ore populous tlian
C uttack,
M ozafferpur and
H azaribagl), and its
M aharaja is sufficiently rich to m aintain a College,
nay, even a U niversity.
G aya is m ore i)opulou 8
th a n Muzaffei’p u r and Ilazarih ag h . IV hy should
i t n o t th en have a C ollege? C hapru, P u ri, A rrah ,
B ihar, R anchi, B ettiuh, Sasaram , Balasore, P u ru lia,
Ja m a lp u r, H a jip u r and Bhndi*ak are m ore populous
th an H ttzaribagh. AVhy should n o t th ey th en have
Colleges, if th e y o r some p a tro n s of le a rn in g can
find th e m one’>; ?
I n B engal, n o t to speak o£
sm all tow ns
like
U ttarp ara, B ankura, Barisul,
Comilla, &c. w h ich have Colleges, t h e . populous
villages o£ D a u lu tp u r a n d H e ta m p u r ha\'e Colleges,
I n f^ct, in connection w ith th e location of Colleges,
th e qucBtion of th e populousness o f a plufc need
n o ta r is e a t
all.
If
a
village ,b e
h e a lth y
and
accqigsibU, and i£ th« fu n d s fo r m aintaining a Coh*
(
42
)
lege be fortlicojuing, it woukl be m ore 'p referab le
to locate a college in or near a rilla g e th a n in o r
near a crow ded tow n th o u g h crow ded tow ns also
m u st have th e ir educational facilities.
I f the relative healthiness of th e tow ns of
th e now pro^'ince be coiisidered, ^vc shall find m any
w hich are m ore h e a lth y th a n those in -which
th ere are Colleges. In i9 i5 th e annual deathra te s p er tho u san d o f th e five college tow ns w 2 re:
P a tn a 23^ iM uzaffcrpur
lih a g u lp u r 2 2.^, C uttack
21.2, and H azaribagh 20.o. H azarihagh appears to
he the healthiest. B u t th ere are tow ns which
arc healtliicr th a n
Ilazailb ag h , and
therefore
h e a lth ie r th an th e o th er fo u r college towj^s.
e
w ill m ention a few w ith ih cir d ealth-rates p e r luille
in 1 9 l5;
Uuogliar j7.9, G iridih
15.i), Iltinchi
14.8, L ohardagu 19.4, Ih iru lia 14.1, *kc.
AVo
have countetl 44 tow ns w ith a lower detith-rate
th an M uzjifferpur. I t is n o t then on th e g ro iu id
of superior healthiness th a t it a m IjiLve th e sujierior iwivilege of h a \ ing one or m ore a lle g e s denied
to m any o th er tow ns.
.R a n d n was
6 nce
.
*■
chosen by th e B engal G overn
m e n t to rem ove th e C alcutta Priaidency College
to . B ater it was proposed to s ta rt a m odel
College there. B u t now fthisf v e ry h e a lth y place
is n o t 'considered w o rth y to ha-s'e a College even
n th e d istan tfu u u 'e.'A n o th eV healthy-to-wn,
P iw u - ,..
(
)
Jin, th e h ealthiest in th e province' i» 1915, has
already expressed an earn est desire to have a College.
T h e local organ, M a n h h m ^ w rote on J u ly 10 last,
in expectation of th e v isit of H is H o n o u r th e L ie u te
nant-G overnor to th e to w n :-^
I n th e whole province o f C hota N agpore th ere is
only one College and th a t is in H azaribagh w hich
is ^jonducted by th e D ublin U n iversity M ission.
In Oriesa th ere is a G overnm ent College, so also
in P a tn a , Can n o t C hota N a g p u r rig h tly claim one
for h e r? T h e s tu d e n ts w ho pass from th is d istrict as
well as from S in g b h u in choose to go either to
C alcutta o r to B an k u ra except th o se w ho secure
G o v ern m en t scholarship, as they are forced to jo in
th e Colleges of th e province of B ih ar an d O rissa.
B u t when th e P a tn a U n iversity will be opened
and th e schools of th is P rovince wdll be affiliated to
th a t U n iversity w here will th ey go ? T hey will either
have to g o to C u ttack o r P a tn a , andw 'e all know how
o u r s tu d e n ts *are treated there. T h e y are n o t allowed
seats in t h ^ h o stels attached to th e Colleges, c o n ^ fjuently th e y have to
m anage fo r them selves in
pla,ce w here th ey have no acquaintance. I t is fo r’theae
difficulties w hich beset o u r stu d e n ts th a t a G overn
m en t College should be established a tP u ru lia , which
?s centrally situated a n d unlike H azaribagh h aving
-direct railw ay com m unication^ W ould n o t any one
o f o u r esteem ed tow nsm en explain th e situation ,to
^ i s H o n o u r?
(
44
)
N o r cnn tlie Jifficiiltyof controlling and supervibing
CoIIegos a t a distance i'rom th e seat o f tiie U niversity
be adduced as a g ro u n d foi’ practically p u ttin g a
sto p to th e establishm ent of m ore Colleges. •!£ Colleges
a t H aziiribagh and C uttack can be controlled from
P a tn a , wli)^ should Colleges in places w hich are
n earer and more accessible be im possible to control ?
O f course, should it be th o u g h t nt a n y tim t; in
fu tu re th a t there w ere m ore Colleges th a n could be
p ro p erly supervised and controlled, th e rem ed y of
fo u n d in g one o rm o re new I'n iv e rsitie s could beapplied
a t once. A nd it is an officially sanctioned a n d p res
<Tihed rem edy. F o r one of tlie objtHts of th e projected
Dacca U n iversity is to reduce th e num ber of stu d en ts
undci' th e jurisdicti(Hi of tiie (Jalcuita Univcrwit^.
A n d as regards th e P a tn a U n iv cristy Bill, th e last
]xiragraph runs as follows
“ T h e constitution of th e new U n iv ersity w ill
enable th e province of B ih ar a n d O rissa to obtain
a .U n iv e rsity of its ow n, and
will • effect some
reduction in th e large num ber o f stu d en ts now u n d er
th e 'jurisdiatiou o f th e
I t is to he
U niversity of Calcuttiu’*
hoped no
official apologist of th e
B ill w ill say th a t seven is th e m axim um num ber
of Colleges* which onp U nivereity can p ro p erly guide
and control. B u t should sucli an absurd statem ent
be m ade o u r rep ly w ould be: “ T h e tim e jia s eoihe
(
45
)
th e n to give O rissa and C hota K a g p u r u separate
Univez’fiitj each.” I t is th e express desire o f H is
M ajesty th e K in g -E m p e ro r th a t th e lig h t of
know ledge should brig h ten
subjects in all p a rts of his
or serv an ts of H is M ajesty
th e w ay of th e fulfilm ent
th e hom es of his
E m pire. N o serv an t
o u g h t to s tsu d in
of th is desire.
•
W e do n o t says th a t Colleges can or m u st
be fo u n d ed all over th e province a t once. W h a t
we do say is th a t it should be m ade practicable
fo r every d istrict and every considerable to w n to
have a College; and certainly it should n o t be
m ade im pofsible for all b u t five to w n s to have
a College. H ow have the d istric ts o f G aya, Shahabad^
S aran, C ham paran, D nrbhanga, M onghyr, P u rn e a ,
S o n th al P arg an as, Bnlasore, A n g u l, P u ri, Sainbnlpur,
R anchi, P alam au, M anbhum , and Singbhum offended,
th a t th e y are to be by A c t of th e G overnor-G eneral
in Council, debarred from h av in g C olleges? W h at
have th e to w n s of D arbhanga, G aya, M o n g h y r,
C hapra, P u r i, A rrah , B ihar, ^ R anchi, D inapore,
B ettiah ,
Sasaraxn, Balasore,
P uruJia, Ju in a lp u r
H a jip u r, B h ad rak , M adhubani, M okam ah, Kendrapara^
D u m rao n , M otihari, P u rn e ah , Safaibganj, S am balpur,
Siw an, J a ip u r,D e o g h a r, B u x a r, S h e ik h p u ra , A raria,
Q irid ih , K etih ar, Sitam arhiJ îc., done to m erit th e
p u m sh m o n t of being prevented from h a v in g CoHeges?
(
, T
r e
C
a se
'1C )
OFM oNGnvR.
In his in to rd u cto ry speech Sir S ankaran N a ir said:—
T h e C om m ittee had proposed th e e x p en d itu re
o f very considerable sum s for th e im provem ent
of m o st of th e e x te rn al Colleges w hich w ill be
a d m itte d to th e privileges of th e U n iv ersity , b u t
here also, ow ing to th e financial stringency, it has
been decided to proceed a t once on th e basis of th e
colleges as th e y e x ist a t present.
i
T h e C om m ittee were of opinion th a t th e D ia
m ond Ju b ilee College u n d er p riv ate m anagem ent was
a sm all and weak in stitu tio n , a n d th e G overnm ent
agreed w ith th e com m ittee th a t th e y w o u ld . n o t
be ju stified in sp en d in g th e v ery considerable
a m o u n t th a t w ould be req u ired
m aintain it efficiently. I t lias n o t
proposed to include it
in
th e
to equip a n d
been therefore
new U n iv ersity .
T h is m eans
th a t
m ost o f the ex tern al
Colleges are in an u n sa tisfa c to ry co n d itio n ; b u t
th e Com m ittee have allow ed all except th e D iam ond
Ju b ilee College a t M o n g h y r to rem ain. I f th e ir
weakness could h z •to lerated , w h y could n o t th e
w eakness o f Ihe M o n g h y r College be to lerated?
I t m ay be th e w eakest College in th e province;
b u t th a t is no reason w h y it should be destroyed.
T h is Spartan* principle of killing th e weak does
n o t com m end
itself to us. T h e teaching of
C h rist IS to take particu lar care o f th e ^weak. *
0
(
»
C hristian servants o£ the K in g -E m p ero r o u g h t
follow t h a t teaching. I f G o vernm ent ra n n o t sp en d
m oney fo r the
im p ro v em en t
of
th e
M o n g h jr
College, leaders of B ihar, including those of M Ongbyr,
be asked a n d given tim e to raise a definite am ount
JO m ake it equal a t last to the w eakest
am ong
the
Colleges w hich have been allowed to rem a in ?
W e have spoken o f th e
d estru ctio n
of
the
(J)llege a t M onghyr because according to section H
of th e Bill, “ n o tw ith stan d in g a n y th in g in any oth er
law for th e tim e being in
force no
U n iv ersity
established by A ct of th e G overnor-G eneral-in
Council shall, a fter th e com m encem ent of th is A ct
a d m it any College
a o d a n y privileges
to an y
g ra n te d
privileges w hatever,
to any College prior
to th e com m encem ent of th is A ct, shall be w ithdraw n
on th e com m encem ent of th is A ct.”
T
h e
C
a se
O
f
P
a t
S ir Sjinkaran N air h as said
“ no colleges w ill be afiiliated to
>â .
th a t
th e
in P a tn a
U niversity
w hich are n o t situated
w ith in one m ile o f th e
Council H ouse a t P a tn a .” I n th e B ill the w ords
’’Senate H ouse of th e U n iv e rsity ’^ are ifsed in s
tead o f “ Council H ouse.” W e do n o t know w h eth er
th e Council H ouse is to be u sed also as th e Senate
H ouse, o r w h eth er a Senate H ouê is to be
b u ilt hereafter. I n arty
w e are n o t sufficiently
(
(jftnversant ■vvitli the
)
to p o g ra p h y
of
P a tn a to be
able to Hay Y ^ cth cr w ithin one m ile o f th e Council
H o u se th e re .are sufficiently large, open and
unoccupied
plots fo r the foundation o f Colleges.
h ope th ere is no m agic in th e w ords
“ w ith in one m ile o f th e Senate H ouse.”
In th is
age of m otor cars and telephones, perhaps tw o
o r fo u r or ten m iles w ould do as well. W e know
fro m S ir Sankaran N air’s speech th a t th e »Secre*
tai*}' o f S ta te had agreed to tlie cstabiislim ent of
tw o m ore Colleges a t P a tn a , b u t th e idea had to
be d ro p p ed ow ing to financial difficulties. B u t
these financial difficulties m ay n o t be
everlasting.
T h erefo re th ere should l:>e some provision in th e
B ill according to w hich it m ay be easy to e sta b
lish these Colleges a t P atiia w hen
stringency is o\êr. A n d as th e
S ta te has
sanctioned
th e
th e financial
Secretary o f
esttiblishm ent
of
a
M ission college, th e
foundation o f a H in d u
o r S an sk rit College and of
an Islam ic College
o u g h t also to be provided, fo r in th e Bill. T h is
in' b etter th a n to have to pass in fu tu re a
8 U])plemcnhiry Bill
for
fo u n d in g one o r m ore
CoUegcs.v
S
e l f
- G
o v er n m en t
a n d
t h e
B
il l
I n rep ly to a question asked by M r. B. N .
S arm a in the* Pniperial L egislative Council S ir C.
SankaTan N alr said th a t ’‘the G overnm ent of India
(
i;» )
look forw ard to an exteneion of io«il,Self-governm ent»
b u t liave n o t laid dow n a n y definite schem e for
in tro d u ctio n a fte r th e w ar.”
T h en
again, in
th e
im p o rta n t
C ircular to
Local G overnm ents, addressed by th e G overnm ent
of In d ia on th e relation
of local
bodies to
educational
an d on
in stitu tio n s
o th e r
w ith in
educational
th e ir
jurisdiction
m atters, it is said:—
.
A s stated above
th e
a ttitu d e o f
(D ecentralisation) C om m ission reg a rd in g th e control
of education is on th e sam e general lines in
respect of all classes of local bodies. T h eir objects
th ro u g h o u t is to give to such bodies a g rea ter
share in th e control of such classes o f education
as arc e n tru s te d to th eir a irc an d b y so doing
to en list a g rea ter degree of in te re st a n d enthusiasm
in th e educational ad m in istratio n
under
th eir
charge. T h e y recognised th a t th e
m ajo rity
of
6
educational* officers
consulted w ere of opinion
th a t this*policy w ould lead to loss of efficiency,
b u t th e y considered th a t th i^ view should n o t prevail
ag ain st th e rccognnised public policy of educating th e
people in self-goverm ent, an d th e y * w ere fu rth e r
influenced b y th e
consideration th a t prim ary
education
w ith w hich local
bodies w ere
chiefly
concerned
should
be ^:idaptcd t<*> * the needs
^ of the people, and th a t th is could best be effect-
th
( 'if' )
cd by securing for local bodies m ore direct
responsibility for
its evolution
and
m anage
m ent. T his consideration is in accordance w ith th e
views
already
expressed
by th e
G overnm ent o£
In d ia and th e S ecretary of S tate an d the policy w hich
it represents m ay be accepted as, th e g uiding principle
w hich, as far as practical conditions p erm it,, should
reg u late the relations of local bodies tow ard p rim a ry
education.
In Sir C. Sankaran N a ir’s rep ly to M r. B. N.
Sarm a *‘an extension of local self-governm ent” is
stated to be intended by
G overnm ent. I n th e
C ircular quoted above “ educating th e people in
self-governm ent” is declared t^^ be “ the recognised
public policy.” W e are therefore, entitled to ask
th a t th is ju s t, statesm anlike and liberal a ttitu d e
tow ards self-governm ent be m aintained in th e case
o f th e P a tn a U niverPity Bill in particular an d of
U n iv ersity education in th e c o u n try generally.
•
T h e C urzonian U niversities A c t . o f 1904
officialised th e U niversities to a fa r g rea ter e x te n t
th a n was th e ca*!^ form erly. T h e P a tn a U n iv e r
sity
Bill
reduces
and
m akes
th e
p opular influence to
official
elem ent
a n u llity
suprem e.
So
th e new I’niversity is going to have a m uch
worse coifstdtution from th e poin t of
view of
self* governm ent thair th e ex istin g ones. If th e Bill
(
-'I
)
is to pass in its p resen t form , it wouM be
m ake tlie U n iversity a d e p a rtm e n t o f
GovcrnmeDt in nam e also as it is to be
T h ere is no b eauty o r u tility in h av in g tw o
in nam e w hile in reality th ere is o n ly one.
b e tte r to
th e llih a r
in reiility.
authorities
W e need n o t repeat o u r observations in o u r last
issue on th e co n stitution of th e P a tn a U n iv ersity and
oif o th er m a tte rs relating th ereto . T h e Senate should
be enlarged to a body of a t least 1 0 0 m em bers, of
w hom at least 60 should be elected. I ts resolutions
should be b in d in g on th e S yndicate, w hich latte r
body should consist of a clear m a jo rity of m em bers
elected by th e Senate. T h e V ice-C hancellor should be.
an elected officer, as in th e B enares H in d u iU niversity
H e should n o t have m ore pow ers th an th e \d ce
C hancellors o f the ex istin g rim e rsities. I n th e Bill
he has been m ade too m uch of an a u to crat and
practically a w hole-tim e paid officer o f the G overnm ent.
A n d it is difficult to see how a m ere m ortal m an, as
th e V ice-C hancellor w ould m ost probably be, w ould
be able to* conscientiously an d satisfactorily discharge
all h is duties, w hich are;—
•
(2)
T h e V ice-C hancellor shall be • th e pJ’incip
executive officer of th e U n iv ersity , and shall, wffien
present, preside a t every m eeting o f th e Syndicate
o r of a n y o th e r
U n iversity body (ê^fcept in the
Senate w hen th e ChancelloV k p resen t) of w hich lie
[ i.s a , m em ber. (3) T h e Vice-Chancellor shall be
(
)
cliarged w ith th e due carrying o u t of tlie provisions
o f th is
Act* and
of
th e
R egulations.
(4)
T he
V ice-C hancellot shall a p p o in t a n d control all officers
and servants of th e U n iv e rsity
o th er th a n th e
U niversity staff. (5)
The. Aîce-Chancellor shall
have th e rig h t of v isiting and
inspecting th e
ex tern al Colleges. (t>) T h e A 'ice-Chancellor shall
decide finally all m atte rs o f discipline in th e
U n iv ersity , a n d such m atte rs o f discipline in th e
Colleges of th e U niversity as are n o t delegated to
o th e r authorities by th e R egulations.
T h e Bill proposes to confer on th e Chancellor
certain pow ers w hich th a t officer does no t enjoy in
o th er Indian TTnivorsities.
Irresponsible
pro p erly .
pow er
can
seldom
be exercised
N o t only are checks necessary, b u t, as
no m an or body of m en can be a repository of all
w isdom , help in th e shape of criticism , suggestion
a n d advice is also needed. O ne m ay say, w ith o u t
possessing any know ledge of th e ir w orking, th a t
Syndicates,
as
collections
of errin g m ortals,
m ay som etim es go ^wrong; b u t concrete exam ples
of th e lAistakes. an d even th e p erv ersity of such
bodies w ould n o t be a t all difficult to b rin g forw ard.
T h e y m u st th erefo re occasionally req u ire th e help
of th e S enate.^B ut th e la tte r has been m ade only
a deliberative body.
lAs been lo st sig h t of th a t
m en do n o t deliberate w ith all th e ir e.irnestness.
(
)
intelligence nnd w isdom w hen t h e j l^now th a t
tlieir deliberation would no t practically influence
th e course of affairs. E a rn e st discussion in th e
S enate by the
elected rep resen tativ es
o f th e
public, of problem s of h ig h education arouses
in te rest in such questions am ong th e people a t large
a n d is an effective m eans of ed u cating th em
in the consideration of such m atters. T h e public
w ould
if th e
lose th is indirect but" im p o rta n t ad v an tag e
Bill passes in its p resen t form .
W
h a t
t h e
C
o lleg es
w o u ij
)
t e a c h
.
R eg ard in g th e stan d ard s u p to which 5nd the
subjects w hich th e U n iversity Colleges a n d exter«
n:d Colleges w’o u ld
teach
S ir C.
S ankaran
N air
sa y s:—
A s to th e courses of s tu d y it is intended
th a t th e U n iv e rsity is to u n d e rta k e th e w hole o f
th e science teaching of the U n iv e rsity Colleges
a t P a tn a , la w , teaching a n d th e
H onours B.
A.
a n d th e P o st-g ra d u a te
work in
a rts subjects.
P rovision is to b.^ m ade for a sy ste m of inter-C ollegiate lectures in th e B. A . i>a8 B a n d so far as is
possible in th e ju n io r classes a t P a tn a , b u t th e
e x te rn a l Colleges will teach in a rts su b jects only
u p to th e P ass B. A . an d to th e
interm edi
a te science in science subjects. A s exceptions to
th e above th e C uttack College will provide teaching
for? th e U o n o u rs
3.
A.
and
th e
pass B.
Sc,
(
--I
)
!ind the Bilmr Nutionul Colleiê
teaching for _ the pass B. Sc. On
will
this
provide
question
alec
th ere
was
a
difference
of
opinion
am ong th e
m em bers
of th e com m ittee.
It
is, no doubt, possible
to give H onours
and
P o st-g ra d u ate in stru ctio n
of some kind a t various
centres as is now done elsew here and to so arrange
th e exam inations th a t th e stu d e n ts could pass
th em w ith o u t any fu rth e r o r better tra in in g , b u t
th e m ajo rity of th e m em bers w ere of opinion
th a t the.h ig h er branches of U n iversity stu d y required
th e
scientific co-operation of a num ber of the
best! teachers w orking u n d e r th e
best condi
tions and
a considerable
body of stu d e n ts
w ith such natural capacity a n d so well equipped
*•
.
^
as to be fit to receive advanced in stru ctio n . As
these conditions do n o t e x ist in th e various o th er
Colleges n o r are th e y likely to arise, it is believed
fo r m any years to come, th e G overnm ent have
come to th e conclusion th a t th e ex tern al Colleges
should teach th e various su b jects o n l^ u p to th e
B. A . pass standards a n d science subjects o n ly u p
to ^ e
sta n d a rd required for th e in term ed iate
exam ination.
W e em phatically and entirely
d issent from
th e conclusion a t w hich th e G overnm ent have
arriv ed . T h e pow er ^f Colleges to teach any su b ject
u p to a high standard is entirely u m atte r of feso u rA s
^
(
■>-
)
in m en a n d m oney. L e t th e U n iv e rsity only fix
th e num ber a n d qualifications oE th e professors
required a n d give an idea of th e s o rt of lab o ra
tories a n d libraries necessary fo r teaching a su b ject
u p to a certain stan d ard . I f an y College can satisEy
th ese requirem ents, let it have th e privilege of h ig h
teaching. I t is ab su rd to bike it for g ra n te d th a t
o n ly P a tn a w ould be fo u n d u p to the m ark. A s
th e Urovernm ent have so severely Vuni^’ed th e num ber
o f Colleges, it,is th e ir bounden d u ty to equip a ll
th ese C olleges p ro p erly , so th a t th e y m ay all be
able to teach a t least u p to th e H o n o u rs B. A .
an d H o n o u rs B . Sc. sta n d a rd s w hich are a fter
all n o t v e ry h ig h sta n d a rd s. W h at is th e g o o d of
keeping th ese ex tern al C(>lleges alive and continuing
to call th e m Colleges, if th ey are to be practically
no b e tte r th a n glorified h ig h schools ?
E v e ry w ell-inform ed e d u catio n ist know s th a t
even low er sta n d a rd s are ta u g h t b e tte r and in an
in sp irin g
m an n er, if a m aste r m in d
does th e
teaching. T h e s tu d e n ts o f th e first year class of
a w ell-equipod first
g rad e
College m ay have
th e ad v an tag e of
being ta u g h t b y professors
o f g rea t
a b ility , b u t if a College is doom ed
to teach a su b ject o n ly u p to
a low
standard,
it is
but
seldom
th a t
its
stu d e n ts
can
come
u n d er the inilucncc of \ c r y \a b le professors. T he
inestim able advantage of fre sh m en com ing under tjie
(
)
influence o f m aster m inds is so well understood
t h a t a t C am bridge a n d o th e r leading U niversities
m any professors w ho have achieved distinction by
original research lecture to fresh m en.
Second and th ird grade Colleges are, no d o u b t,
b etter th a n no-ColIeges a t all. B u t w here the num ber
o f Colleges is so sm all, each College should
be equipped as a first grade College. I t ^may
n o t be possible fo do it now, b u t it can be done
a fte r the w ar. T h e p rese n t tem p o rary financial
strin g en cy I lean never be a sufficient reason for
perm an en tly crip p lin g th e ex tern al Colleges.
T h e province haslan area of 83,181 square miles,
th a t of E n g lan d being .aO,S74 square m iles. T h e
population of B ihar and O rissa is 34,490,184, th a t of
E n g la n d
being
.‘>4,045,290. I n
E n g la n d
th e
U n iv ersity of O x fo rd has 22 Colleges a n d 3
p riv ate H alls, an d C am bridge has 17 Colleges
an d 1 H all.
T h e n th ere ’are th e U niversities
o f D urham , L ondon, V ictoria (M anchester), BirnjinghHm,
Liverpool,
Leeds,
and
Sheffield.
L ondon U niversity has 24 Colleges g iv in g in s tr u c
tion* in 8 , facutties. T h ere are also U n iv e rsity
Colleges a t E x e ter, R eading, a n d S o u th am p to n
T h e re are besides seven special A gricu ltu ral Colleges
in 7 pkcps in E n g lan d . W e do no t fo rg e t th a t
th e new province i s / n o t E n g lan d . B u t su re ly one
ox tw o Colleges for h ig h er teaching (and
th a t ^ o
( 57
)
n o t very h ig h ) are n o t sufficient to m eet even
th e p rese n t dem ands of a provitflce m uch m ore
extensive th a n E n g la n d a n d slig h tly rrn.>re p o p u
lous th a n th e la tte r.
G overnm ents as well as
peoples o u g h t to have
reasonable ideals and
legitim ate am bitions.
W e «re so rry t-^ find th a t
the G overnm ent of In d ia have set before th e m
selves 8 0 low an ideal of its educational d u tie s
to\j-ards th e new province.
,
K eo u la tio ijs .
T h e B ill lays it dow n th a t
(2) T h e first R eg u latio n s shall be fram ed by
th e Local G overnm ent. T h e Senate m ay , from îmc
to tim e, m ake new or additional, o r m ay atnend
o r rep eal’ the K egulations.
(3)
T he Syndicate shall
have pow er to d ra ft
a n d propose to th e
Senate R egulations to be
m ade by th e Senate a n d it shall be th e d u ty
of th e Senate to
th e
of,
ous
consider the same.
(^ ) All new R egulations, o r additions to
RegulationB, o r am endm ents to or repeal
th e
R egulations, shall req u ire th e previ
sanction
o f th e
Local
G overnm ent, \(-hich
m ay, a fter the’ opinion of th e Syndicate has been
taken, sanction, disallow , o r rem it th e same for
fu rth e r coneiderntion.
. •
From the
character
o? 'th e
Bill it would
(
be
)
euby to giêsb th e character o f th e K egulations
to be fram ed by
th e Local G overnm ent, and,
as official influence is sure to be suprem e in the
o en ate and th e S yndicate, th e additions and
a m end m ents to th em o r th e repel of a n y of them
is not likely to im prove th e ir character to any
iippreciai'le e x te n t. E v e ry th in g com ing fro m an
official source is not, of course, to be condem ned.
B u t a t th e sara^
tim e th e u tte r absence * of
})opular control a n d criticism c an n o t be h eld to
be desirable. I t w ould be of som e use if th e
R eg u latio n s to be fram ed by th e Local G overnm ent
w ere published for public criticism a n d sug2 e«tions.
I t is n o t clear w h ether th e new U nivcraity
w ill fill its Colleges th ro u g h th e door of the
M articulation o r of tiie School F in a l exam ination,
o r w h eth er th e P rincipals will be em pow ered to
im pose som e o th er te st or qnnlification
on can
d idates . for adm ission to th e ir first • year classes*
T h is is a vêry im p o rta n t m atter, and
on
>vill depend th e supply of u n d er-g rad u ates t<^
th e -JJniversity. * T he p o p u lar view is, a n d it
is a ju s t an d
reasonable
view, t h a t
tio n D ep artm en t o u g h t n o t to have any
th e E d u ca
direct or
in d ire ct p o w er to check th e spread of high educa
tio n such as the Scho/>l Final exam ination m ay be
nâde to confer on it.
^
(
59
K e SIDKN’TTAT,
In tlie cxHir.se o i
S ir 0 .
Uis
)
( ’O E L E O as.
in tro d u c to ry
Jspoccii
vSankiiran N a ir said;—
T h e m ain featu re of th e schem e is th a t th e re
shonhl be a central
residential ainl
I'-ichinjrITniYorsity a t Ihitna. T h is represents th e I'o’" ’ of
(h n v ersity from which according to the [H’csent ideas
tlie best educjitional resu lts m ay be expected to follo^v.
kiome of. th e membfjrs of tlie C om m ittee desired to have
a U niyersity established wliicli was e n tirely o f th is
descrij)tion, b u t th e m ajo rity were of ojiinion tliat
th ere w ere o th e r considerations ndnch precluded
th e establishm ent o f such a U n iv ersity . T here
were .several Colleges in tin- province situated at
considerable distance
from
P atn a a t
w hich
stu d e n ts
w ere being
already educated for a
I'n iv c rsity <*arccr and from which it was im})ossible
to ex[)cct a com plete m igration of stu d e n ts to a
C entral U n iv w sity . I t w as according]}' decided th a t
in addition to th e U n iversity Colleges a t P a tn a th ere
should bo a sericfs of e x te rn al Colleges a t various
centre.s ou tsid e P a tn a itself. T lic C entral U nivtu’sity
a t P a tn a , therefore, and th e exteimah Colleges are
to be un ited so as to form a single Ib h v c rsity
governed by com m on reg u latio n s and u n d er th e
sam e general control.
* *
•
«
I t is a p ie d of good fo rtu n e th a t th e
I'n iv c rsity
( 6<1 )
lui.v not hee?i
tial one.
a
UeHidt'Utia]
aixi {ini‘<-)v rrsiilpi)*
U niversities anti Colleg-es a re
m ore costly th a n non-i*csidential ones, anti th erefo re
th e y are u tte rly unsuited to th e requirem ents o f
tin e x tie in e ly
|X)or c o u n try like India. If the
Scottish
U niversities
had been residential like
O x lb rd a n d C anibridge, U n iversity education mould
nt)t have been Atore w idespread therti than* in
Uug'ltui<l. W hen S ir C. Sankaran
N air observes
tlm t th e eenti’al residental U niversity “ represents
tlie fo n n o f a U ni\'ersity iVoin wliich accordingl to
tlie p resen t idtjas th e lx*st educational resu lts m ay
be o.xpoctod to follmv,’" 'ne jnerely
i’(‘p<‘a ts and
echoes th e prevailing A n g lo -In d ia n
burcnuoratic
ulea, fo r which tliore is little jnstificati<jn to
be
found
in
th e
facts
of
recent
U n iv e rsity developm ent in G reat B ritain, n o t to
speak of the co n tin en t o f E u ro p e . W e are n o t
b lin d to certain advantages of residential in stitu tio n s.
B u t if from i‘esidential U niversities alone, according
to the latest and m o st a u th o rita tiv e opinions on
th e subject, “ t h e , b est educational resu lts m ay be
expected to follow ,” how is it th a t in E n g lan d
in none of th e U niversities fo u n d ed a fte r O xford
and C am bridge has thei:e been an e x a ct rep ro d u ctio n
of th e fpr^n or m odel of th o se m ediaeval U n iv e r
sities ? E ngliehm eij / are in d ep en d en t a n d selfgoverning. I f th e residential idea h a d been th e b^st
and m o st up-to-date, th ey w ould n o t h a ^ d e p a r
(
)
ted or perm itted iiny d e p a rtu re tro in th a t itlea in
any of th e new U niversities. F o r tlie best educa
tional resu lts th e residential form
is h o t essentially
necessary; b u t it m ay be required by th e b u re a u
cracy to serve som e political p u rp o se of th eirs
B u t th a t is a different m utter alto g eth er.
S
t a t e
C
o n t k o i. o f
U
n iv e k s it ie s
,
* T h is b rin g s u s to th e questiyn of S ta te control
of U niversities.
A nglo»Indian
bureaucrats hold
th a t
U n iv e rsity
education
in
In d ia
m u st
be
su b ject to
interference
and
ab so lu te
control by th e S tate, if it is to
be
in any
w ay
“ effective
and
efficient.”
In
our
opinion th a t is a w rong view . T h e follow ing
p a ra g ra p h len d s su p p o rt to o u r opinion.
“ A t th e a n n u al m eeting of th e U niversity of
L ondon G rad u ates’ A ssociation on M arch lb , th e
P resid en t, S ir W illiam Collins said th a t th e tw o
cardinal vices of h ig h er
education in G erm any
w ere the y e n tific a tio n of th e U n iv e rsity w ith th e
S tate by S ta te -ap p o in te d a n d S tate-paid professors,
and th e bestow al of degrees
th e professors on
th e ir ow n s tu d e n ts w ith o u t independent exam ination.
T h is led to th e w orship o f th e S tate a n d a belief
th a t it could do no w ro n g , and propagated th is
doctrine in th e risin g g e n e ra tio n .”
W h a t is bad in a n d f o r . G erm any cannot be
g o o d , in and fo r India. M ay we n o t hope^ th a t
( fi2 )
B ritish statesm en nnd o ffim ls in iln d ia will n o t
copy from a n 'e n e m y co u n try any h arm ful ideas
and tliin k tlm t th ey can be good for
E m p ire.
T
h e
P
a tn a
U
n iv e r s it y
B
il l
,
a
th e B ritish
M
e n a c e
.
W e h av e w ritten a t some le n g th
on th e
P a tn a U n iv e rsity B ill, as we th in k th e educational
in terests o f n o t only th e Province of B ih ar and
O rissa b u t of tl)e w hole of In d ia
m ay * be
p reju d icially affected by it.
F o r som etim e p ast th ere has been a dem and, on
the p a rt of official and non-official A n g lo -In d ian s, as
e x p ressed in th e ir organs, for legislation am ending
the In d ia n U niversities A ct of 1904 in such a w a y
as to still fu rth e r weaken the pow er of th e non"
official In d ia n elem ent in the Senate,— to m ake
it, in fact, a quite im p o ten t factor. T h e P a tn a U n iv e r.
sity B ill gives th e public some idea of such
am ending legislation. The bureaucratic m ethod is
to‘ in tro d u ce retro g rad e m easure first j n provinces
w here public opinion is com partively less pronounced
th a n w here it is m ore articulate. T he P n tn a U n iv e r
sity B ill m ay th erefo re be taken as th e th in
end
th e -wedge. T h e cause of h ig h education in
In d ia w o u ld suffer m o st seriously if th e ex istin g
U niversities w ere fashioned a fter th e m odel of the
P a tn a U n iv ersity . T h e q u ality o f h ig h education
m ig h t o r m ig h t n o t J;lren im prove b u t its spread
w ould certainly lie arrested.
•
( (33 )
I t ini, therefore, th e u rg e n t d u ty of th e educated
public all over In d ia to discuss thfe B ill in al^
its aspects a n d bearings a n d to send rep resen tatio n s
on it to th e
T
h e
D
G overnm ent of India.
uty
C
h o ta
of
t h e
N
a g pu r
B
ih a r
L
,
O
r is s a
e a d e r s
and
.
A s for th e leaders of
B ihar,
O rissa and
C hota N a g p u r, th eir d u ty is tc^ m ake th eir voice
h eard d istin ctly a g a in st all th e retro g rad e and
obstructive features
of the
P a tn a
U n iversity
schem e. T h e y .>hoi.dd jjrin t copies
of
th e B ill
and Sir C. S aukaraa N air’s speech, an<l
send
tlieni fo r )pinion to siid i In d ia n M cc-ChauceU ors
a n d ex-V ice-C hancellors as D r. bu iid ar L ai, Dr.
D evaprasnd S arv adliikary, Dr. S ir P i'atu l C handra
C h atterjce, Sir Gooroodas B ancrji, S ir N aruyan
G handavai'kar, S ir A shutosli M uklierji, <tc., and
to th e Indian non-official m em bers of Syndicates,
Indian P rin cip als o f unaided Colleges and o th e r
In d ian
educationists.
W hen th ese
opinions
arc
received, th e y should be siunm arised and forw arded
to th e GoveiTunent.
#
A s th in g s are, B ihar is educationally* in a
v e ry backw ard condition, O rissa is in a
worse
position th a n
Biliai-, and th e condition of C hota
N a g p u re is th e w orst. A nd th e Bill* proposes to
^give publicity to this'deploral5l^£tat€;of thirtgs. P ublic
(
Opinion and th e
B ihar,
th ey are
64
pre:ssare n o t a t ail strongw eaker in
no n -ex isten t . in
C hota
m ore necessary, therefore,
each of the
th ree
)
O rissa
N a g p u r.
fo r the
and
in
alm ost
I t is all the
leading m en of
sub-provinces to do th e ir p a rt
like m en. A nd th e weakness of th e new j)rovince
increases th e responsibility of th e older provinces.
D u ty tow ards b reth ren a n d self-in terest alike req u ire
th a t th e y should |e x e rt them selves to th e u tn » s t.
From the “Bengalee*^ Calcutta.
O n the last day of the Sim la session of th e
Im perial L egislative Council the H on. Sir S ankaran
N air, M ember of E ducntion, int'*oduced th e Pfttna
U niversity B ill. W e were already inform ed that sp a d e
w ork in connection w ith th is scheme had been in p»*ogress for som e tim e and a m ixed com m ittee of offici
al and non-official m em bers was appointed to con
sider th e details. T h e resu lt was th e d ra ftin g of
this B ill, which has been introduced and the fu rth e r
consideration of which will be resum ed a t .th e w in ter
session of th e Council a t Delhi. Before considering
th e salient features o f th e Bill as ou tlin ed by the
H on. Membet* in charge of it, wc m ay refer to the
Opinions of the tw o non-official representatives
of B eher in the C ouncil,
nam ely, th e H on.
M r. R rialm a Sahai a n d th e H on. M r. M azharul
HaqiiV. B oth Tf’e lcttmtjd th e m eusure; th e form er
(
)
said h e wa.*« c o n te n t w ith a smaU beginning a t
p re se n t; M r.
M azaharul H aq u e su p p o rte d th e
Bill, b u t refrain ed fro m criticism a t th e p resen t
stage. I n view o f these expressions o f opinion
i t m ay ap p ear ungracious fo r an
o u tsider to
criticise, o r to find fa u lt w ith th e m easure, b u t we
s ta n d fo r p ro g ress a n d im p ro v em en t in every
P ro v in ce and in ev e r\ in stitu tio n , o ld and new ,
an<f we regi-et we cannot accejit th e view th a t
th e proposed P a tn a U n iv e rsity w ill be in a n y w ay
an im p ro v em en t on th e ex istin g U niversities in India.
W e w ish em phatically to declare a t th e o u tse t
th a t w e m ake n o grievance w hatsoever o f th e
fact th a t th e cr^âtiou of a new U n iv e rsity a t
P a tn a will involve a cu rtailm en t o f th e purview and
ju risd ic tio n of th e C alcutta U n iv ersity . F ro m o u r
experience of educational affairs we are persuaded th a t
a n increase in th e n u m b er o f U niversities spells n o
d a n g e r to th e cause o f education.
W h a t is th e d is
tance betw een, O x fo rd a n d C am bridge as com pared
w ith th e distance betw een C alcutta uud P a tn a ? A n d
h o w has th e p ro x im ity of these tw o U niversities in
ju rio u sly affected th e cause of education in E n g la n d ?
T h e refo re, th e notion th a t th e P a tn a U niversity w ill
an y -w ise affect th e C alcutta U n iv ersity p rejudicially
m ay be dism issed a t once as u tte rly t u u fo u n d e d . O u r
objection is to th e schem e itse lf as *^being. u n sa tisfa c
to r y a n d retro g ressiv e. T h e rOot idea u n d e rly in g th e
ijieasur^ is t h a t since B ehar has becom e a sepeerat
A
( l!'i )
P rovince it sliftulcl be self-contained, and, in oiMer
t h a t it m ay become so, it should have it ow n H ig h
C o u rt a n d U niversity. T h e first is an accom p
lished fact, th e second will be realised by this
B ill. T he C entral U n iv ersity w ill be a t P a tn a .
I t was proposed t h a t th e re shoiihl be a K in g 's
College, a M ission College and a S a n sk rit College.;
b u t financial stri|ig e n c y stands in th e w ay •a n d
th ere fo re n o new College w ill be established a t
p resen t. T h e P a tn a po rtio n of th e U n iv e rsity
will consist of th e tw o ex istin g G ov ernm ent
Colleges, th e P a tn a College and th e T ra in in g
College for T eachers. T h e re is no p ro p o sal to
raise th e Medical School a t B a n k ip u r
to a
College.
The
B ehar
N ational
College
at
B a n k ip u r, th e G overnrnent College a t C uttack,
th e M ission College nt H uzaribagh, tw o aided
leges a t M u ja ffa rp u r a n d B hag alp u r respectively
will be e x te rn al Colleges affiliated to the U n iv e r
s ity .
T h e D iam ond Ju b ile e College* a t M o n g h y r
w ill be excluded fro m th e schem e, >\'hich m eans
th a t it w ill have to be abolished.
T h u s in s
tead •♦of increasing th e ex istin g n um ber of Colleges,
th e P a tn a U n iv e rsity w ill begin by redu cing the
n u m b er already in existence, and th e disaffiliation of th e College a t
M onghyr.
T h e A'iceC hancellor *will be tjie chief executive officer of
th e U n iv e rsity College a n d th e P a tn a College ai^d
th e chief v isitin g and inspecting officer o f tîe oth<?i-
;(
)
Colleges. "
the I ’ni^^rifity
frt.Patm i will
ladertake th e w hole of the >cience t*2aching. law
teaching
w ork in
•each up
to th e
aod th e lionours, and. th e post-gratiuate
arti? Mibject^. T h e e.xrernal Colleges will
to B .A . and B.So., the la tte r beingi conlined
B ehar
X atlonal a n a C uttack
Collegee,
The
Senate
• o r inore
10
will
th an
consist o f n o t les*.
th an
(>0
persons
and n ill
o n ly a <leliberati\-e body. I ts
resolutions will
n o t be b inding on th e S yndicate. Thi-> is a d istinctly
retrogressive ste p and con,iravenes th e U niversities
A c t of 1904. T h e Senate is the g o v ern in g body of
th e U n iv ersity , b u t in th e P a tn a U n iv ersity it will
have no real pow er, th e Syndicate h aving control
o f all m a tte rs concerning education.
T h e first
reg u latio n s w ill n o t
be fram ed by th e Senate
b u t b y th e Local G overnm ent, w hich wall have tjie
suprem e control in e v e ry th in g . I t is to be re g re tte d
th a t Sir S arkaran "Mair should have sto o d sponsor to
a schem e from* w hich all elem ents of self-governm ent
have been efiininated. A s th e H o n . M r. Setalvad
rig h tly said in th e debate th a t follow ed, “ very little
scope o r independence \vas le ft to th e ^lem burs o f
e ith er th e Senate o r th e S yndicate. T h e U n iversity
w ould be reg ard ed as a d e p a rtm e n t of th e S tate.
T h is w ill be th e v erd ict of public ojoinion
we are co n ten t to leave i t a t th:^t.
and
(
From the
6«
)
B. P a trik a ” C alcM a.
In spite of th e heitrty welcome accordcfi to
th e P a tn a U n iv ersity B ill b y o u r Reharee friends,,
it is certain th a t th e feeling o f
th e
o u tsid e
public to w ard s it
will be one o f
su p rem e
disap p o in tm en t. F o r it is un|>ossible to conceive a
m ore retrograde a n d
reactionary
m easure. T h ^
p ity is th a t S ir| Sankaran N air should have*)K’eii
its spomsor. L et u s refer to som e o f its im p o rta n t
provisions.
T h e U niversity is n o t to be a [m rely re
sid en tial U niversity n o r w h a t is called a pure!)'
fcdei’al U niversity’. I t will Ix- u hybrid, p a rta k in g
of th e n a tu re of lx>th. A t P a tn a it will be a
residential a n d teaciiing
u n iv e rsity
u itli tw o
Colleges
for the- p resent. O u tside
P a tn a
tlu^
C olleges a t R ankipur, C uttuck, Ha'?aril)agli, and
M uzaffarpur w ill be affiliated to th e U niversity
I t is som ew hat stra n g e th a t the 5 ih a r N’ationul
College has been denied the h o n o u r ,o f M o n g in g
to th e residential g ro u p . T h e reason [)ei’liaps i.'t
th a t B a n k ip u r is m ore th a n a m ile d ista n t from
P a tn a — a * Uneal
atiindai’d
w hich
has
been
laid
dow n
for
th e
pu rp o se
of
aftilialion
of
nmv Colleges.
We
ought
to
I'em ark
in p assin g th a t
th e seat of
tlie
Ih iiv e rs ity
will lx‘ a t P a tn a w'hilc th e H ig h C o u rt a n d th e heail
f(Uarter 8 of th e G overnm ent are a t Bankipîr.
it
(
)
o u t of respect to th e vanished glories of P a ta lip u tra
o r in pursuance o f som e o th e r occult principle w hich
we <lo n o t know ?
T h e U n iv e rsity w ill be connected w ith a notjible
•event a t its inception. W ith its establishm ent the.
Diam ond Ju b ilee College a t M o n g h y r will cease to
e x ist, w hile, no new College will be sta rte d th o u g h
som^ are in contem plation. T h is fo r th e present.
F o r th e fu tu re a v ery sa lu ta ry f)rovision has been
m ade for th<.‘ g ro w th and developm ent of new
Colleges. Sir S an k am n says : “ N o Colleges will b(’
affiliated to th e U n iv e rsity w hich are n o t situated
w ith in one m ile o f th e Council H ouse a t P a tn a or
in one of th e fo u r ex istin g College centres, i. e., Bhag alp u r, C uttuck, H azaribagh and j\Iuzafferpur.” H ow
it will affe^*t th e m ultiplication of Colleges o u r readers
m ay w ell ])redict. W e are to ld th a t th ere was some
tliffereuce o f opinion in th e C om m ittee in reg ard tc>
this ])oint. B u t th e G overnm ent o u t of a sincere
desire to abide b y co n stitutional form s lias accepted
th e view o£ th e m ajo rity w hich w as in favour of the
enactm ent of th is w holesom e» rule.
T h e U n iv e rsity B ill has closely follow ed itaturc
in creatin g diversities a n d th e y are now here m ore
conspicuous th an in th e m a tte r o f curricula a n d
control of the several colleges. T h e
U n iv e rsity
Colleges a t P a tn a w ill o n ly ,b e allow ed *to teach
ijig h Science an;l H o n o u rs Course.?. T h e o th e rs
(l
)>
y v i l l i i -i K* o r t W ' - exception.>
will luivr to tl<-\oti
thoinM-lveri eiuiivly to th e Pnss A rts Cuurû. 1'hc
\'ice-C liunceH or will control the U n iv e r-ity Colleg;e
a t Jîtna. I n respect of th e ex tern al Colleges In.- will
he o n ly a v isiting {ind inspecting officer. V a v wjask, w ho will control th e m ? Will it be the D istrict
M ag istrate o r th e Inspector, o f Schools? Evt^n the
S y n d icate will
have n o th in g to do w ith
tin
reg u latio n of courjes of s tu d )'e tc . of th ese ex tern al
Colleges. . W lm t a blessed sy stem ! W e do n o t know
w hat to th in k of a U n iv ersity w hich has no control
o v er th e Colleges affiliated to it. M any stra n g e
th in g s are h appening d u rin g th e w ar a n d th e con
ception of th e P u tn a U niversity is c e rtain ly one of
th e m .
N o w we rom e to th e m ost im p o rta n t featu re,
viz.. th e co n sititution o f th e U n iv ersity . I t consists
of th e Chancellor, th e V ice-C hancellor, th e S enate and
th e S yndicate. T h e S enate w ill have fo u r P ellow s
elected b y th e faculties a n d e ig h t I’f^llows elected by
certain classes of F ellow s o u t of a in ax irau m of 60.
So th e reg istered g rad u a tes liave no 'p o w e r and
p e rh a p s no place in th is U n iv ersity . T h is is cjuite
in keep in g 'syith th e general ten o r o f-th e provisions of
tliis B ill. Now, a? regards th e pow ers o f th e Senate.
I t w ill be a purely deliberative-body. I ts resolutions
wdll n o t be binding on th e S yndicate. W ill the
re so lu tio n s* o f th e S<îate partak e o f th e n atu rt
o f reconimend.atioDs t-'' th e G o vernm ent as is pr(j-
(,
n,
)
'
vide(i ,ôr in th e Legisilatwe t.'ouncils ? Che Calcutta
M ani'-ipality can now pride itself upo n fu rn ish in g
a , mgilel
doubt.
to
U niversities— a
nnique . h o n o u r
no
h u t th e - S e n a te lins .o n e Batisfaction. IE its
are n o t b in d in g on
th e Syndicate,
licit lier are th e deliberations of th e Syndicate bin
ding on the V ice-C hancellor.
For,
the ViceCbaljcollor will be th e principal ^xecntive nu th o rily
1cMiiutiuus
and, under the JBill, executive g o v ern m en t will n o t
be vested in th e Syndicate'îis
in th e ex istin g
U niversities. W ill th e Syndicate be a m erely a d ‘
visory body— a hoard of e x p e rts
so to
say?
B ut th e Vif’p ^lian cello r has also iim itntions to
the ex erci' n pow er. H e w ill have no control
as we have said above, over th e e x tern al col
leges, i. e., Colleges beyond th e U n iversity lim its
of P a tn a. T he V ice-C hancellor w ill be a full tim e
officer, a n d need we say, h e will
be
eith er
a
m em ber of th e In d ia n Civil Service o r
of th e
Indian E d u catio n al Service ? T h e Syndicate will
consist of 16 m em bers of w hom 9 are to be elected
by th e Senate, a poor satisfaction w hen
rem em ber how th is S enate is co n stitu ted .
we
T his is in s h o rt an o u tlin e of th e new U ni
versity. W e can w ell u n d e rsta n d w hy th e H o n ’ble
M r. S arm a objected to th e estab lish m en t of th is
U niversity. VVe u rg e o u r friends in B ehar to p ro test
(
72
)
in a body against its co nstitution. W e can im a
gin e th e ir feeling in d esirin g to
h a v e a U n i
v ersity o f th e ir ow n. B u t o u g h t th e y to be satis
fied w ith such a m iserable tra v e sty o f a U n iv e r
sity ? W e are, indeed, so rry for S ir S ankaran
N air in being, associated w ith th is m easure. B ut
h e is o n ly one o u t of th e seven w ho co n stitu te
th e G overnm ent of India.
From the
I -----------Hindoo Patriot, ” Calcutta
O u r friends in B e h a r have decided u p o n a
special session of th e P ro v in cial C onference to h o ld
u p th e B u lls’ E y e lig h t before th e P a tn a U n iv e rsity
B ill a n d exam ine its pro v isio n s. T h e I^resident of
th e proposed special C onference has been a p p ro p ria
tely fo u n d in th e flo n ’ble R ai P u rn e n d u N a ra y an
S in g h B ah ad u r.
T h e Beharees have g one a b o u t the
business in q u ite a business-like fashion a n d a C om
m ittee has already been ap p o in ted to p rep a re a N o te
on th e B ill to be laid before th e C onference. T he
P a tn a U n iv ersity B ill, to q u o te D r. J o h n s o n ’s cele
b rate d phrase, has been “ ill-hatched, ill-cooked and
ill-se rv ed ” an d unless tim ely m easures are taken to
show u p th e retro g rad e a n d fu tile c h aracter of its
provisions, th e U n iv e rsity , to w hich itw illg iv e b irth ,
will be found to be a pale, anremic an d dw arfed child
devoid of a!l*lusty a n d vigorous g ro w th .
(
73
)
From the **Indian Patriotj ” Iâdras.
T h e H o n ’ble S ir S an k aran N a ir in troduced th e
Jâtna U n iversity B ill in th e Im perial L egislative
C ouncil yesterday. T h e Bill contains featu res -which
m ake it im possible of h e a rty acceptance by th e n o n
official m em bers ; b u t all of th em su p p o rte d it cordi
a lly in th e h ope th a t th e u n satisfacto ry features
w ould be am ended before th e B ill
finally passed.
’ T h e H o n ’ble M r. B asu re p re se n tin g B engal welcomed
th e Bill, fo r un lik e several of his c o u n try m en in
B engal he did n o t g ru d g e th e sister province a
separate u n iv ersity . T h e H o n ’ble M r. M alaviya
welcomed th e policy of establishing m ore U n iv er
sities. O n m an y p o in ts In d ia n opinion could n o t
(
lu p p o rt th e B ill. H e criticised th e co n stitu tio n of
th e Senate an d th e e x a ltatio n o f th e Syndicate to
independence of th e S en ate. I t m ay be hoped th a t
n o unreasonable obstinacy w ill be show n by G overn
m en t a g a in st g iv in g th e U n iv e rsity a m ore liberal
c o n stitu tio n a^nd character. I t is good to have m ore
U niversities, b u t th e y o u g h t n o t to be o f th e ex istin g
kind. T h e p rese n t ten d en cy is to create R esidential
a n d T eaching U n iversities, b u t if th e y ane to (^)me
u p to th e expectations o f th e In d ia n public, th ey
m u st be controlled by p o p u la r opinion. I t is a g ain st
th e dictates of experience to centre all real p o w e r in
th e S yndicate a n d m ake it indepeijdent of th e SenateT h e Syndicate is o fte n m ore im pervious to p u b ly
)
o p in iu a-.'tb an ^thv? 5>.euatc,' auti it- WoPvb'u'>fr CAl’€ ioi
public opinion a t all. T h e Senate, on th e o th e r hand,
is m ore aTn’enable to 'p u h lic opinion*outside, and we
do' w a n t I 'n i’i'ersities which w ill prom ote learning not
in detiichm ent. b u t in accordance w ith the. needs of
th e countvy as ju d g ed by th e best opinio., am ong
th e peo p le.'B ih ar, as u separate ]>rovince, m u st have a
se p ara te fn iv e rsi'tv iis it has a separate H igh ( ’ourt^
n o t how ever ud a*laiigLiage basis, as M r. Sarina eonte a d e .h M r. S arm a indeed prepared th e basis -of a
claim fo r a T e lu g u U n iv e rsity wlum he argued th a t
O rissa w ould n o t bepefit by a U n iversity which wa>
locfited in P atn a w here th e H indi lan g u a g e w a s spoken,
W e do n o t see .w hy th e l^ i y a lan g u ag e '^honld
no t be recognised by th e new
U niversity.
M adras
U niversity has provided fo r tlie stu d y
of
several
vernaculars an d no
difficulty is
experienbed thereb)-.
The
lan g u ag e
question
tides
n o t arise on
the
B ill
as it does n o t rest
up o n a language basis. T h e Patnî
U n iversity
is in ten d ed m erely to m eet th e refg n rem en ts of
education and does' n o t re st bn lan g u ag e. I ts aim
is to m ake separate provision 'to m eet th e requireinenfs of th e new province, a n d th e re is no reason
w h y th e hew advantages of the U n iv e rsity should
he en jo y ed by th e H indi
speaking people any
m ore th«T> those w ho speak U riya. T h e G o vernm ent
o f In d ia are not ])iVpared, a t least a t p resen t, to
.(
:?■/>
)
coiiciiiLute ul3iverîti<‘s fo r • every ,laiiguftge division.
T h e tim e -'n u v y , com e to ..'establisli u separate
r n iv e r ^ t} ’ in th e U riy a c o u n try .
B u t in the
m eanlim c th e proposed U n iversity a t
lâtnn will
: «• help fu l to
th e people of th e province, and
[ >'iya will be a lanj*uage I’ccognised in its curriculuim
Atrf'ntioTi should he concentrated on th e c'^nstitu^
V , ■•nd pow ers of ♦’h e TTriiveryty for, as I)r.
.Sa]»ru said, - if
we are t o ’
ha\*e in o re U n iv e r
sities. th ey
be hott^r th an •tho^c already in
existence, a n d not woj-se. In w liat ros|H?cts i can ihey
be bcTicv?" Kirsi in rcymvd to tlie (xjuHtitiition which
as '.ve.lia\'e said, nuisr Ix) {)o[nihir. T hen as regards
th e eurriculuni which slum ld Ix; consistent w ith the
rec|uir('iuents‘of the time.-, A cun'icMlam shaped by
m en our of toiK-b \vitli public opinion
cannot
iins\vcr th e m odern re(|uirem cnts w hich are m oj\
than
they
can
coiux'ive.
The
jwoposed
stre n g tii of th e Senate seem s to be inadequate :
an d th e proposed s tre n g th of th e Syndicate seems
too large. •T he U n iv ersity should be co n stitu ted
so ns to
reduce th e official elem ent to
a
mirri-
m um . T h e ex istin g U n iv ersities'are all m ore o r
less official U niversities.
T h e new TJniversities
sh o u ld be released
from
official control.
T h e re
m u st be real self-Grovernment. in th e U n iv ersity
w hich deals exclusively w ’tli th e educjftibn of th e
xôuth of th e co u n try . T h a t ’m u st be th e aim
(
76
)
o f new U niversities as m uch as i t m u st be th e ir
a im to ex ten d know ledge.
T h e In d ia n U niversities
have producfid m en w ho w hatever m ay be th e ir
draw backs, are capable of o rg an isin g an d g o v e rn
in g a
U n iv e rsity ; a n d th e y m u st be allow ed
freedom to tra n sla te th e ir ideas in to practice. A s
at
p rese n t proposed, no c o lle g es
w ill be affiliated
to th e U n iv e rsity w hich are n o t situ a te d w ith in
o n e m ile of the* Council H ouse a t P a tn a o r in one
of th e fo u r ex istin g college centres, i e., B hagalpore,
C u ttu ck ,
H azaribagh a n d
llu z a ffa rp iir.
T h e re is a p p a re n tly
fav o u rs th e creation of
a ll places w here t
body of opinion
w hich
Schools a n d C olleges a t
dem an d fo r th e m m ig h t m a n i.
feat itself. W e are inclined to be in s y m p a th y
w ith th is view . B u t a p a rt from it, th e degree
of
control exercised over th e
Colleges by tlie
U niversity
au th o rities
and th e courses of in stru ctio
provided in th em are th e really impoj^tant factors
I t is laid dow n t h a t th e \"ice-Chancell 6 r w ill control
all the officers a n d serv an ts of th e U n iv e rsity , th e
Syndicate will control th e courvses o f s tu d y , the
exainination
an d *all m atters' o f education in th e
•
«
colleges of th e U n iv ersity . T h e S enate is only to
be a deliberative body. I ts reso lu tio n s will no t be
b in d in g on th e Syndicate. T h e Senate wdll th erefo re
be a mere* cipher. ^ I t will have no real a u th o rity
a n d , least of all, over th e Syndicate, w hich ougjj
(
77
)
to be am enable to th e Senate. T h e re is to p sy
turvy<lom in th is arra n g e m e n t, a n d we can h a rd ly
th in k th a t all th is could have em anated from th e
M em ber for E d u catio n . I t is n o t clear w hy th e
Chancellor sh o u ld be em pow ered to nom inate fo u ro u t of th e 16 m em bers of tlie Syndicate w hich
is to co n tro l all m a tte rs concerning education. W e
are ©ot a t all su rp rised a t th e expression of dissatisfaction on th e p a rt o f so m an y of th e H onourable M em
bers, l)8 cause to o u r m in d it is clear t h a t th e Bill
does n o t proceed on lines w hich will create p opular
satisfaction, a lth o u g h we are h o peful th a t in th e
course of its passage it will un d erg o changes in th e
directions indicated in th e speeches of H onourable
M em bers.
From The H indu Madras
W e have n o t g o t th e fulJ te x t o f th e P a tn u
ITiiiversity •B ill in troduced in to th e Im p e ria l L e g isla
tiv e Council last W ednesday b v th e H o n ’ble S ir
Saukuraii N a ir, b u t th e provisions of it w hich ,he
has ou tlin ed in his speecii m ake it sufficiently
clear th a t th e B ill is retrogi’ude in reg a rd
th e
provisions for a d m in istra tio n of th e L n iv e rsity ?
T h e co n stitu tio n of th e proposed U n iv ersity is
p ro v id ed in th e follow ing im uiner:—
T h e first Senate a n d th a Syndicate w ill Ix;
^ o n 7,titi^tc<l by th e A c t itself. T h e n e x t a n d J:he
■(
oiisiiiiig.
wiJi consist
)
.>r n o t
less -tlmn
^0
uiid iio. m ore tliaii fil) .jM'ivsons. T h e >i‘nate ^vill
iiic lu d o fo rta in ex-ofH cio,feIb\vs elected )p\- th e hn-nlti(‘s-, 8 fellows elected h y certain clus>es o f jV^llows
jicoording to th e rciniilatioiis fram ed fo r tim t ]-nn-|)os<‘.
T h e Senate is only to he a deliherutiro )>odv. Its
resolutions are in^t hiiidiiig on t]ic Svndicnte. TinSenattr differs iij th is resjiec't from the: ■ Senate
a m s titu te d uiidei* th e U niversities
of
w hich has th e ])owor of m aking regulations, p ro \ iding
fo r th e c-ourses of stu d y to he follow ed and the
conditions to he com plied w ith hy candidates for
th e U n iv ersity exam inations, a n d also fo r tinconditions to he com plied w ith by schools de.siniuirecognition for th e i)ur(jose of sending u p pupils
fo r th e m atriculation exam ination. Tiie
Syndicate w illc o n s is t o f 1 0 m em her.s,.som e
cx-ofhcio. T h e Chancellor shall iv.miinate 4
a n d 9 persons a re to be elc'cted b y th e
T h e Syndicate w ill have control o f all
ciisiiin'^
of them
])ersons
S en ate'
m atte rs
’
concorning education nm ler th e In d ia n 'IT iiv e rsitie s
A c t now in force. T h e E x ecu tiv e G overnm ent (O'
th e .U niversity i^ vested in th e Syndicate, whilu
u n d e r th e *8111, a fu ll-tim e A 'iooC hancellor is to
be tJic princi|)al executive officer o f th e U nirer.sii v
A ll m atte rs rela tin g to th e ad m in istratio n of th e U n h
\ crsity n d e ^ to reg u late th e adm ission of educational
in stitu tio n s to tluT privileges of th e U niversifv
•
( ( * 7 ‘.»
'
))
I
-w ith d raw jil
•.tlK
a b u iiL
tli'‘
.
an d
|) i! ^ v id c < i
fk>r
l i o n .s. l i r e
to
rio n a l
th c ii*
b y tlic
h t-
n g u h ilio iis
in a } ’
be
o l'
th e
.s in c liu ii
w ill
])e
tiiiil^ a tc d
th e
of
a lo n e
th e
b y
< jji
fru in c d
S y n d ic a te
} ie
iv g u lu -
G .o v c n iio iit,
â n d
n e w ,, u d d i-
• b y
th e
.'S e n a te
‘ i - ’V e r n m c n r .
N o
C o l^ ^ g O '
d;;.
th e
th e
m ig h t
firy t
L u cal
;iK jd itip i],
an d
^ v ill
T h e
th e
w iih o u i
S e n a te
t(J d i s a 6 6 ] i a t i o ] i
lio v e n iin e n t
o p in io n
.ro g u ljitio n .
m a y - b e
rlic
p riv H e i» « e , i
^ n u lc n t.s
, e x n u iiiiu tiu n ?
IV au K M l
w iih ^
A ?
<>r
re g u la tio n ?
S ^ 'i i d i c j t e ,
.s ia jf)
u d in U ^ io n
L 'n iv e r s ity ,
> u ch
6 t
,
rM iisv u l
L o e-al
o th e r,
a n d
th e
th e
(jo v e ru n ib n r.
h a n d ,,
d o it, a f te r
<-1'
th e
L o c a l
e o n ;? id c rin g tlie
S e n a te .
I t ^^•(all<l l(x>k fro m ?onie of these provision.^, th a t
ih c Syndicate of th e ila d i ’us Univcr.?ity m u st have hud
a h a n d in ilic fra m in g o f th em . T h e M adras Syndiw ite
wotild c c n ain ly welconK' a jirovision th a t tlie resoln’ tious of th e Senate are n o t b in d in g on it. It is
needless to di>*f*over flaw s in a scheme of ITnivcr'îty
adim nistraii'»m
w hich ajipears clealy to liave
l>cen desigiHi! t<^ reduce *non-offieial in tc r\’enti>tn
and e-o-operation to a m inirauni, *t<j m ake official
agency snju'une and its decrees jnviolahle. Suf-jirisc
nas been { xj)resse<l w idely tlia t jin Indian -Alember o f
Lditcation in the per:?on o f th e IL m ’hle S ir Sunkaran
Nair should stand sjionsor to such i\ Icgislativci
, ■n actm cm as th e proposed
lln iv ersity ilill.
ojV'r-r
s]}ecc]i in troducing th e Bill, Sia
(
Snnkaran N a ir
follow s:—
has
80 )
^
explam ed
the
poîiLam
“ A com m ittee consisting of 9 E u ro p e an s a n d
S Indiana w as appointed in M ay 1913, wlMch
began its op eratio n in J u l y of th a t y e a r and
rep o rted to th e G overnm ent in M arch 1 9 H . T h a t
rCj>ort w as p u b lish ed , a n d a fter considering the
criticism s on th e p ro p o sa ls th e L(Ktd G overnm ent
su b m itte d th e ir Scheme on th e 2 8 th M ay 191."» to the •
G o v ern m en t of India. A ll these proposaiLs were
carefu lly considered b y th e G overnm ent o f S jn d h n H
w hen th e y h a d th e ad v an tag e of th e ab ility and
lo n g experience o f S ir H arco u rt B utler, a n d they
s u b m itte d a schem e o n th e
2 9 th O ctober of
last y e a r to th e S ecretary - of S ta te w ho has
sanctioned it. T h e object o f th e Bill w hich 1
now pro p o se to introduce is to give legislativ('
sanction to the intro d u ctio n o f th a t schem e.”
•
I t seem s,
P a tn a
legacy
therefore,
p re tty
Qlear
th a t
the
U n iversity B ill is S ir H a rc o u rt B utlerV
a n d it rem ains to h. • geen how it is g o in g
;
to be m oulded in th e council to su it th e needs
of flie tin\es, for w hich th e H o n ’ble N’o o-officuil
M em bers w ould have to p u t
a n d com bined efforts.
fo rth all th eir Fjcsf'
i
\
‘
( 81 )
From the *^Marhatta*\ Poona-
^
The
Im p erial L agislative CouBcii
^ held on th e 27th u ltim o w ill be rem em bered lo r th«
vUs«pI>ointment w hich was ao u n a n im o u s lj expressed
h \ \ uon-offlcial m em bera of th e Council a t th e proviftio V o f
V&tna. U n iv ersity BUI. N o Colleges
w ill 1 )0 affiliated to th e U n iv e rsity w h ich a rc n o t
, •*:-''vt;c'l w ith in one m ile of .the Council h ouse a t
o r in one of th e fo u r e x istin g College centres.
*
e x tern al
colleges are to teach th e various
■ suhjectfl o n ly u p to th e B . A . pass sta n d a rd and
^ science subjects only a fte r th e sta n d a rd required
for
th e In te rm e d ia te E x a m in a tio n . T h e Senate
is o n ly to be a deliberative b o d y . I t s reso lu tio n s are
no t b in d in g o n th e Syndicate. T h e Senate differs in
th is respect fro m th e S enate c o n stitu te d u n d e r
th e U niversities A c t of 1904 w hich h as th e p | | | | | ^
o f m aking regulations p ro v id in g fo r the c o i ^ ^ ^ l
of s t u d l f ^ ^
follow ed and tlie c o n d i t i o n s ^ M
’ be c o m iiC d -^ v ith b y candidates fo r th e U n i v e r s i t y ^
exam inations ''* a n d
also
fo r
th e
condition)
to
be
cm hplied
w ith
by
schools desirirg
^ recognition for th e p u rp o se o f sending p u p ils f«^he m atriculation exam ination. T h e ' S yndicate jvill
^ n tr o l th e courses of s tu d y , the exam inations
u n d all o th er m a tte rs concerning education under
th e In d ia n JiU n iv e rsitie s A c t nqw in force. T here
■ill, be a fu ll-term V ice-C hancellor nom inated by
‘ tv ernm ent, who w ill
be
th e ’principal executive
r
(
^*2 )
officer. T h e se are som e o f th e provisions of th e
P a tn a U n iv e rsity B ill, L o rd Cur'ôn is indeed p u t
,
in to th e s’hade b y the fra m er of th is Bill. C u r - ^
zonisiu is ad m irab ly im p ro v e d upon. T he S e n a ^
th ro u g h w hich the sm all voice of Indians t r i ^ to
m ake itself felt in th e case of e x istin g U n iv e ^ itie s
is to be in th is new U n iv e rsity a m erely ‘deliberative’
i. e., ornamenfcil bo d y ! T h e S yndicate in wli^â the
co n tro l of ‘educational m a tte rs ’ is v ested . T ^ t o
be a t th e beck a n d call
of the fu ll-te n n vice-’
C hancellor, a G o v e rn m e n t nom inee ! T h e ' a d
m in istratio n o f th e U n iv e rsity is th u s practi- ^
cally placed in G o v e rn m e n t’s hands. T h e “ C hronicle’
com euting o n
th e Bill
quotes M r. G okhale's
criticism of th e C urzon-niade In d ia n U niversities
A cCli : ‘I t a m o u n ts to a
form al declaration o n
p a rt of t h e G o v e rn m e n t o f In d ia m ade w ith th e
■urrence of th e L eg islativ e Council th a t the s y s te m
w hich has been
o g u e in •
th is co u n try for the la s t fifty years
been a failure
•nd t h a t th e men ed ucated u n d e r ' that* sy stem have ,
P'oved them selves unw orthj^ of being associated J
ii a n y appreciable d egree w ith th e a d m in istra tio u
of ^beir ow n Universities.* W e are indeed unworthy
of being associated— for
a re we n o t liarb o u rin j
w ithin our bosoms a n d fo ste rin g in th e y o u n g gene-'
■ i f lU n iv ersity education
Pr
ration ‘aspirations a n d a m b itio n s’ w hich m ay be w el
com e to a R ip o n or h M acaulay o r
a H a rd in g e ,
(
)
b u t w hich are m o st noisom e to th e o rd in a ry ru n of
‘S ta te sm e n ’ from w hich th e M anagers o f In d ia n
affairs are selected ? I t is u n fo rtu n a te th a t a S an k aran
^ a i r sh o u ld have to introduce such a B ill. P a n d it
M alaviya, D r. S apru, M r. V. S. S h astri, M r. S etalvad
— all ‘re g re tte d ’ th e retro g ra d e character of th e uiea.-ure. D oes S ir S haiikaran N a ir re g re t it?
We
shoiild v e ry m u ch like to know . T h e Bill has y e t to
pass th ro u g h som e m ore processes'and it m ay y e t be
h oped th a t G o v ern m en t will respect public opinion
a n d recast th e m easure
N o th in g like h o p in g ! 1
a little
m ore liberally 1
From the **Indian Socail Reform ”, Bom bay
T h e H on. Sir S ankaran N air, th e E ducational m em
b er of th e G o v ern m en t of In d ia, in troduced a' Bill to
create a U n iv e rsity a t P a tn a in th e V iceroy’sL egislative
Council on W ed n esd ay .
W e give below his sta te
m e n t 're g a rd in g th e co n stitu tio n of th e proposed
U niversity.* T h e first Senate and th e Syndicate
wdll be c o n stitu te d b y th e A ct itself. T h e n e x t dnd
th e en su in g Senates w ill consist of n o t less thqn 40
and no m ore th a n 60 persons. T h e Senate w'Ul
include certain ex-officio fellow s, 4 fellow s elected
by th e faculties, 8 fellow s elected b y c e rtain classes
o f fellows according to th e reg u latio n s ‘ fram ed fo r
t h a t purpose. T h e S enate is *only to be a deii-
(
8<
)
berative b o d y . I t s reso lu tio n s a re n o t b in d in g o n
th e Syndicate: T h e Senate differs in th is respect
from the S enate co n stitu ted u n d er th eJU n iv ersities
A c t o i t9 0 4 , ’Which h a s th e pow er o f m ak in g
regulations, p ro v id in g for tb e courses o f s tu d y to
be'ÊoIlowed a n d the conditions to be com plied w ith
b y candidates fo r th e U n iv ersity exam inations, a n d
also fo r th e condititions to be com plied w ith by
schools
desiring* recognition for
th e
p u rp o se
o f sen d in g u p * p u p ils
for th e m atric u la tio n
ex am in atio n .
T h e en su in g Syndicate w ill co n sist of
16 m em bers, som e of th e m ex-officio. T h e C hancel
lo r shall n o m in ate 4 p erso n s a n d 9 p erso n s a re t o be
elected by th e Senate. T h e Syndicate will h av e
co n tro l o f a ll m a tte rs concerning education u n d e r
th e I n d ia n U niv ersities A c t noAv in force. T h e E x e
cu tiv e G o v ern m en t of th e U n iv ersity is v ested in
th e S yndicate, w hile u n d e r th e B ill, a fu ll-tim e
V ice-C hancellor is tp be th e p rin cip al executive
officer of th e U n iv e rsity . A ll m a tte rs re la tin g to th e
a d m in istra tio n o f th e U n iv e rsity rules* to reg u iateth e adm ission o f ed ucational in stitu tio n s \ o th e p riv ile
cres o f th e U n iv e rsity and th e w ith d raw al o f such
privH eges, rples a b o u t th e adm ission of s tu d e n ts to
th e U n iv e rsity , a n d th e ir exam inations also w ill be
p ro v id e d fo r b y th e reg u la tio n .
T h e first re g u la
tio n s are to be fra m ed by th e Local G o v ern m en t.
S u c h reg u latio n m ay be m odified, a n d new a d d itio n
(
*5
)
al regulations m ay be fram ed by
the* Senate w ith
th e sanction of th e G overnm ent. N o college w ill be
affiliated w ith o u t th e consent of th e S yndicate,
th e Senate a n d th e Local G o v ern m en t. A s to dis
affiliation, on th e o th e r h and th e L ocal G overnm ent
alone m ig h t do it, a fte r considering th e opinion of
th e Syndicate a n d th e Senate. W e should like to
see {he Bill, before com m enting o q th e co n stitu tio n
proposed for th e U n iv e rsity w hich seem s to involve
som e sta rtlin g d e p a rtu re s from th e constitution of
e x istin g U niversities. T h e proposal, in particular?
to m ake th e S y ndicate alto g eth er ind ep en d en t of th e
Senate, requires to be carefully scrutinised in th e
lig h t o f th e experience o f ex istin g U niversities. M ay
we su g g est to th e E d u catio n M em ber th a t it w ill be
fa ir to refe r th e B ill for opinion to th e ex istin g
U niversities w hich have a tw o-fold in te rest in i t :
first th a t th e y are to receive th e new -com er in to th e ir
com ity, a n d ,^ c o n d I y , th e co n stitu tio n proposed fo r
itic a n n o t b i^ influence th e fu tu re course of legisla
tion in re g a rd to th e ir ow n ?
From the ** Punjabi \ Lahore.
The iotrodQctioD o f P a tn a
U n iv ere ity B ill at the last
m eetin g o f the Im perial L e g isla tiv e . O onncil
marks
a de
finite step in advance la tbe realisation of th% * schem e of
th e proposed U n iv ersity for
tfie*new P rovin ce of Bihar
•Jind Oriesa.
The P rovin ce
had
already
been farnished
( ■ 8S,
vrith an E x e c u tiw C onncil and a H igh
C ourt.
the fitn ess of thin gs, therefore, that it should
I t w as it.
h ave a TToi-
▼ersity o f its ow n which would fulfil the ed u cation al
quirem ents of the Province and m ake
u n it of adm inistration lik e the
il a
other
re
self-con ta in ed
major
P ro v in ces.
E v er sin ce th e form ation o f Bihar and Oriesa as a separate
P ro v in c e its people have been,
as our readers are aw are,
in sisten t in their demand for a separate
U n iv ersity w ith a
v iew to p u ttin g an end to their dependence on a U n iv ersity
ou tside the P rovin ce, w hich did not, th e y com plained,
sp ecia lly cater for their ed u cational
needs.
The
G overn
m en t of Lord H a rd in g e show ed real w isdom and statesm an
ship b y ta k in g m easures
people in
for
m eetin g
the w ishes o f th e
the matter.
T he establishm ent of a large num ber o f
in the cou n try m eans
ed u cation.
U n iv ersitie?
extended and enlarged fa cilities for
E v ery w ell-w ish er of India
w elcom es, there
fore, th e progress of the m ovem ent for more
to w hich
Univer8iti<»s
Lord H ardinge's G overnm ent gave an
b y sa n ction in g the establishm ent of the
im petus
B enares •H in d u
U n iv e r sity , the D acca U n iversity and the M ysore U n iv er
s ity .
The Central P rovin ces
their U n iv ersities,
and Burma w ill soon have
and it m ay be hoped
posed •.U oivergity at A ligarh w ill also
plished fa c t before
U n iv ersities are
of
lon g.
There
demanded
in
the
cou n try also.
ta lk in
Bcftnbay for
a t P o o n a.
Â lready
the
are
that the
be
there
has
inauguration o f a
separate U n iv ersity
been
pro
accom
in d ication s
other im portant
The e n e r g ^ io people o f A ndhra
a g ife tin g not on ly for a
an
that
centres
som e
U n iv ersity
have
been
th e ii^
(.87
ow^n but also a separate
au bon.
)
self'COQtained
proTince,
m em ber indicated in the coarse
a t tb« last m eetin g of the
C onocil
A nd
oC bia speech
that
the
demand
for a U n iv ersity w as “ so strong in Trivandram that in
tim e to com e th ey w ould have there a M alayalam U n i
v er sity ,” sp e c ia lly with a
literature.
It is to the
the
looked
to
to stim u latin g
national
U n iversities o f I n d ia ,“ said H is M a jesty
K in g-E m p eror in b is
dress o f the S en a te
be
view
of
assist
moTDorable rep ly to
the C alcutta
in
that
ad
U n iversity ,
that
gradnal
fusion of the cu lture
and aspiration
and Judians
on
w hich th e fotn re
In d ia so g reatly depended.
th e
anion
and
of E nropeans
w ell-b ein g o f
“ I t is m y w ish ,” H is M ajesty
added, “ that there m ay be spread
over the land
w ork o f schools and co lleg es, from
w hich
w ill
a n e t
go
forth
lo y a l and m anly and nsefnl citizen s, able to bold their ow n
, in in dustries and agricn ltn re and all the vocation s o f life .
A nd it
m y w ^ b , too,
that the
hom es
of
my
Indian
subjects m ay be h rigb teoed and their labour sw eetened by
th e spread of k n ow led ge and w ith w hat follow s in its train
a h igh er le v el of thou ght, of com fort and
of
h ea lth .” f t
is through education and edncation alon% th at H is M a jesty ’s
— w hich is also the desire o f the peop le o f the
— w ill
be falfilled .
cou n try
In d ia hopes th at through b etter
and
b ig b er education im parted b y her U n iversities sh e w ill be
en ab led to build up h igher and better hopes w hyilkw iU h elp
,
th e realisatioD of her dream of the* evolution
«yr.Aepecti% g and united
n ation .
of
a
se lf•
(
88
)
In the speech that he m ad e in in trod ooin g the P a tn a
U a i? e r 8 itj B ill at the latt m eetin g of the Im peril LegisIatiTe*
O oancil, S ir Sankaraa N air ga?e an o n tlioe o f the lUniver-'
lit y schem e, to w hich
effect ia now
proposed to be giTon.
The m ain feature o f the schem e o rig in a lly
w as that there
should be a central residential and teach in g U niT ersity at
P a tn a ; for no u niversity is n ow -a-d ays
com p lete
in all
the
n oless
the more
arts, and
it is
equipped
w ith
im portant branches
unless it
provides
recognised to be
teachin g
facu lties
^
o f the scien ces and
am ple
opportunities
for research.
Those w ho have
read th s E ducation
M em ber’s speech carefu lly m ust have noticed bow the
o rig in al
schem e
S ir Sankaran
ob liged
has been
N air
modified and w hittled
said that
to take this
X..
down.
the Q overum ent had been
course on acconnt
of the financial
difficulties that had arisen ow in g to the war. I t is now
d ecided that the P atn a portion of th« U n iv ersity should
be started o n ly on
the
basis
o f the tw o C olleges,
the
P a tn a G overnm ent C ollege, and the T raining C ollege for
Teachers now
tem plated
in existen ce.
the
The o rig in a l
establishm ent
in
proposal con -
addition
•
to* these,
o f a new C ollege under the nam e o f K in g ’s C o lle c t, a
M ission C ollege and a S ansk rit C ollege.
F or the same
roasoa w e are u n ab le,” says the E ducation M em ber, “ to
give«fn ll residentiaU facilities reoom m aoded by the C om m itte e .” The C olleges
situated
outside P atn a, in clu d in g the
B ihar N ation al C ollege at Bankipur,
are treated as external
O olleges. I t had been besides proposed to incur an expen
diture o f coosiderable sum for the im provem ent of most of
the
extern al
p riv ileges
O olleges * w hich
w ill
be adm itted
of the U n iv ersity , but here also,
to the
w q a r e t o l^ .^
•
(
th a t o w i n g t o
89 )
t h « preseot
fio a o c ia l
stn n g e D C j
it
bae
been decided to proceed on the basis oE th e C o lleg es as
t h e j e l i e t at p resent. This show s that w hat is m eant
for the presen t is the transfer o f the con trol of a number
of C olleges from the C alcutta U n iv ersity to a body w hich
w ill be called th e
P atn a U n iv ersity , b a t w hich, from the
nature o f th e
proposed con stitution , w ill be more a
d e p ^ tm e n t o f S ta te than a U n iversity.*
•
I t w as proper, therefore, that in the d iscussion that
follow ed S ir Sankaran N air’s speech, bon. M em bers rose
on e
after
another
to giv e
expression
p oin tm en t at th e retrograde
o f the B ill in regard
nature
to the
and S y n d ica te, and the
to
of
their
th e
disap-
provisions
constitution o f the S en ate
pow ers
of
the V ice-O ban cellor
W hat could be m ore unsatisfactory than that the S en ate
should
be
m erely
a
deliberative
resolutions w ere not by law
w hile
•
a
principal
fu lltim e
on
V ice-C h ancellor,
ex e cu tiv e
the Uifiversitjfc^
binding
oiEcer,
A s M r.
body
w ill
w hose
the Syndicate^
who
w ill be
it*
be
alM n -a ll
in
Setalvad said very little scope
or in depend ep ce w as le ft to the
m em bers o f
either the
S en a te or th e S yn d ica te. P a n d it M adan M ohan M alaviya
thought that there w ere m any points w hich Indian
opinion cou ld
lib eralising
not endorse and spoke
the
con stitu tion
of the
of
.the
ne&d of
U n iv ersity .
Mr.
B hopendranath B asu expressed the hope that the B ill
w ould be thorough ly exam ined ir^ the S ele ct C om m ittee.
The rio u . M r. K rishna S ahay and the • H o n ,
MrM azahar-ul-H aq, from Behar, refrained from criticisin g
tfie m easure a t the present sta g e. The H o n . D r. Tej
r
90
)
B abador Sapru very appropriately pointed o u t , that i£ therew ere to be raore U niversities
tbey sfaonid
be better than
those already in ex isten ce and not one, step worse.
I t is to
be regretted , as M r. Srinivasa S astri said, that the G overn
m en t should, instead of tak in g
a
fresh
think fit to take one step in the rear.
step
I t is,
be hoped that the B ill w ill be thoroughly
in ad vance
how ever, to
recast in
the
S e le c t C om m ittee ancj com e out of it divested of its o b jec
tionable features.
•
Frnm the **Leader,'* Allahabad.
T h ere m n bo no d o u b t tlia t th e P a tn u Uni*
v e rsity B ill embodies proposals of a m o st rulroPTftfle n a tu re w hicb ideserve to be opposed by th e
w hole of In d ia. T h e principles underlying; th e p r o
posals are reactionary', and w hen th e y anj once
in troduced in one in stitu ^ o n , th e ir higli v irtu e s are
likely to be praised, and o th er institiiU ons in v ited
to accept them . I t is well t h a t th e ])cople o f B ih ar,
T'ealizing th e seriousness a n d th e far-re a ch in g effects
of th e issues involved are convening a special prov'incial c6 nfere n tc to ccwisider th e B ill and to ex p ress
th e ir clear a n d decisive opinion th ereo n . A s wa^
])ionted o u t b y o u r Sim la correspondent w hose le tte r
we publislied a few days ago, S ir S ankaran N air, th e
p re se n t E d u catio n MAifber, liad absolutely no h a n d
in Che fram in g of th e Bill w hich owes its pa 4?entagit
(
to
Sir
)
H a rc o u rt B utler,, wlio.. sent i* uj) t o . th e
S ecretary o f S ta te o n ly t^'O d ay s Iw'fore Su* vSankaran
N air t{X)k ohiirg* of his offic^. I t is h ig h ly signifi
can t
th a t th e m em bers w ere n o t given an o p p o r
tu n ity to have a look a t th e B ill before it was intro• dnced, o therw ise it was' likely th a t som e of th em
m ig h t h a v e opposed even its in tro d u ctio n . B u t as
it w al, th e y g a th e re d w h a t inform ation th e y could
’as to its c o n ten ts from th e speech of S ir Sankaran
N a ir a n d based th e ir criticism th ereo n . M any
of th e m , in sp ite of th e vague in form ation th e y
h a d of its provisions, detected in th e outline o f
th e B ill given* by th e m over, objectionable features
of a
serious n a tu re
a n d th e y did n o t fail to
raise th e ir voice a g a in st th e in tro d u c tio n of re tro
g rad e principles in it. D r. S ap ru m ade an ad m i
rab ly practical speech an d a t once laid bare th e
• w eak p o in ts of th e B ill, so fa r as th e y w ere
referred* to ia . S ir Sakaran Ivair’s speech. T h e
B ih a r m em bers w ho expressed
som e incautious
view s in fa v o u r of th e Bill, w ith o u t even once
seeing its
te x t, w ere probably carried aw ay ^by
th e ir zeal
fo r
h av in g
a U niversity* of th e ir
ow n. B u t th e co n stitu tio n o f th e P a tn a U n iv e rsity
does n o t affect th e province o f B ihar a n d O rissa alone
bu t is a m a tte r o f a ll-In d ia concern, C oisftquently
. th e a ttitu d e o f th e B ih ar m ^ftibers sh o u ld n o t
-fetafed in th e w ay o f m em bers rep e re se n tin g o t h ^
(
92 )
provinces oppoBing to
th e o u tm o st th e passing
o f th is m easure. W e ra th e r h ope th a t w hen th e
B ill n e x t com es u p in th e V iceroy’s C ouncil, th e
B ih a r m em bers w ould jo in w ith th e ir colleagues
fro m o th e r provinces for th e y m u st have discovered
th e ir
m istake
a fte r
co m m itting
them selves
in its fav o u r in an u n g u a rd e d m om ent. L e t th em
a t least rem em ber th e observations m ade b;f S ir
S a n k aran N air in in tro d u cin g
th e Bill
to w hich
o u r Sim la co rre sp o n d en t drew pointed attention?
to th e effect th a t various U n iversity B ills relatin g
to Dacca, B urm a a n d N a g p u r w ere com ing up
fo r consideration a n d
th a t it w as
considered
d esirab le th a t th e sam e Council should deal w ith all
th o se q u e stio n s follow ing certain general principles.
I n according th e ir s u p p o rt to th e Bill, w hen it n e x t
com es u p fo r consideration, assu m in g t h a t the
B ih a r m em bers have n o t c lia n g e d th e view o riginally
e x p re sse d b y th e m , th e y w ill n o t p o ly be doing
a disservice to th e ir ow n province, b u t to o th er
provinces also. T h e B ill is n o t a m easure o f m ere
d o m estic i m p o r t , to B ih a r b u t affects th e w hole
o f Itid ia , înd m ore specially a n d im m ediately
E a s te r n B engal, B u rm a a n d the C en tral P rovinces,
a n d we h ope th a t th e
B ih ar m em bers
no less
th a n th e , R epresentatives from o th e r provinces w ill
realize th e ir heavy re sp o n sib ility in th e m atte r.
•
*
ilf.
Hf
.
A n occasional correBpondent ô£
w rites as follow s on th e su b je c t:—
th e L e a d e r
I t is desirable th a t his co u n try m en Bhould keep
th e ir confidence u n ab ated in S ir S an k aran . I say
th is by reason especially o f th e absolutely u n ju s tifi
able criticism s w hich I have
h eard levelled a t
him even b y p erso n s w h o o u g h t to know b e tte r,
in reg ard to th e P a tn a U n iversity^ B ill. E v e n an
, In d ia n m em b er of th e V iceroy’s le g is la tiv e C ouncil
w ho w as p re se n t a t th e m eeting w hen th e B ill w as
introduced w as m ig h ty w ra th th e o th e r d a y w ith
S ir S an k aran . H e o u g h t to have resigned, said th e
hon, critic, before being a p a rty to such a re tro
grade m easure. B u t it need h a rd ly be p o in te d o u t th a t
th e p re se n t E d u catio n M em ber has absolutely tak en
no lo t o r p a rt in th e P a tn a U n iv ersity schem e beyond
th e ro u tin e w o rk of form ally in tro d u cin g it in
th e Council. I n fact, no one could have closely
• follow ed th e
m over’s op en in g
speech in th e
C ouncir w ith o u t realizing th is . H e m ade it quite
clear th a t th e B ill w as se n t u p to th e Secretnry
o f S*‘ate by S ir H a rc o u rt B u tle r on th e 2 9 th
o f O ctober 1915, ju s t tw o
days before his
successor took charge.
T h a t th is was g ro ssly
u n fa ir to
S ir
S ankaran adm its o f no d o u b t.
O n th e re tu rn of th e Bill w ith th e im p rim a tu r o f
th e S ecretary o f S ta te S ir Shnkaran qould have
n a tu ra lly no pow er o f m odification left to him .
•
•
■(
94
)
1
I t its said t h a t Sir E d w ard G ait w as v ery keen
a b o u t th e early e n actm en t— and consequently early
in tro d u ctio n in to th e Council of th e m easure and
th a t
d u rin g
his
visit to vSimla in A u g u s t
last he ex p ressed his desire to t h a t effect.
I t is
not
likely
how ever
th a t
th e Bill
.vould have been in tro d u ced in th e last session of th e ‘
Council. T e n to one i t w ould have stood over till th e
D elhi session. ,B u t th e B ih ar G overnm ent* w ere
aided in th e ir resolve to have th e Bill r u s h e d by
th e h o n . m em ber
rep resen tin g th e
L eg islativ e
C ouncil o f th e P rovince in th e Im p erial C ouncil. A n
in o p p o rtu n e qu estio n asked by h im o n th e su b ject
a t th e first m eetin g o f th e last session m u s t have
stre n g th e n e d th e h an d s of th e B iliar E x e c u tiv e in
pressin g for a n xrumediate in tro d u c tio n of th e Bill,
w ith th e re s u lt th a t th e m essure w as su b m itte d to
th e Council a t its s ittin g in th e foz’m in w hich it
h a d practically le ft S ir H a rc o u rt B u tle r’s h an d s. ^
I t is n o t su rp risin g th a t th e Bill w a ^ recei\icd w ith
‘a chorus of execrations’ a t th e h an d s of th e in d ep en
d e n t a n d o u t-sp o k en non-official m em bers o f th e
Council— th e tw o b est speeches being th o se o f D r.
>Saf^ru a n d
ifr.
S e ta lv a d -n o r is it
a t all
su rp risin g
th a t ■ th e B ih a r m em ber w h o
had
know ingly
or
u n k n o w in g ly
played
in to
th e
h an d s of th e B ih ar executive pronQ unced a g lo
w ing enlogium uppij it as a Bill p u ttin g th e copestp n e on th e s tru c tu re of th e K oyal P rovince. T h e *
(
95
)
lion gen tlem an
h a d p rep a re d his ‘m a n a ic rip t
■eloquence,’— or to be accurate ‘ty p e sc rip t eloquence’
before h e knew even a w ord a b o u t th e provision
o f th e Bill a n d hud to ‘fire it .off’— to indulge in
an expressive v u lg arism — for w ant o£ being a ready
d ebater. I n th is m a tte r how ever h e is no worse,
if no b e tte r th a n m an y o th e r councillor p ast
and
p rese n t.
B u t w h a t su rp rise d Sim la was th a t
th e * h o n M r. M azhar-ul H a q u e .w h o
is credited
b y his ad m irers w ith rather^ a n in o rd in ate sh are of
independence a n d w ho u n lik e his B ih a r colleague
h a d n o t p re p a re d a speech b u t spoke ex te m p o re a t
th e e n d of th e debate, sh o u ld have gone o u t of
h is w ay to b less th e B ill a n d sn u b th o se colleagues
of
his w ho
had ad v ersely
criticised
it
by
declaring t h a t he
ivas n o t p repared
to a d ;
it a re trb g ra d e m easure ! well, if th e P a tn a U n iv ersi
t y B ill is n o t a retro g rad e m easure, all I can say
is t h a t e ith e r M r. H aque o r his colleagues w ho
charaoterizedît as such had b e tte r go back to school to
l e a r n ^ I h a d a lm o st said uulecvrn— a little m ore of
e tym ology. F o r reasons I shall p rese n tly explain
th e k a tn a U n iv e rsity B ill seemii to m e to
but
a feeler a n d if, u n fo rtu n a te ly , it is n o t regar<5 ed by
th e c o u n try as it shonld be— an insidious m easure
w hich is b u t th e th in e n d of th e wedge and w hich
if allow ed to pass unchallenged will be "introduced
in d u e course in all o th er part5 -J-In d ia w ill have com -
(
96
)
m ltte d a serious a n d u n p ardonable
THB i ’UTURE OF INDIAN
m istake, indeed.
DNIVERSITIES.
T h e mea.siire now in tro d u c ed h as, it is freely
talked h ere,
a h isto ry b ehind it. L ik e
som e
heroines of fiction it h as b eh in d it 'a p a s t.’ W e
all know th a t S ir H aro o u rt B u tle r is no o rd in a ry
m an — th e h u m -d ru m Civilian w ho is c o n te n t to
live th e life o f â lotus«eater. N o t so th e
first
E ducation M em ber of th e G overnm ent of India.
H is one etrikinsr tra it, to th o se w ho know him
is th a t o f a m asterful p e rso n a lity , zealous to leave
a n im press of his in d iv id u ality on everything- he
comes in contact w ith . B u rm a is now h a v in g its
fu ll share of it. w here S ir H a rro u rt’s indiv id u ality
is h aving free p lay — th e re being n o t even an
E xecutive Council to h a m p e r in th e least th e p lan s
a n d designs
o f t h a t am bitious satrap .
T ru e ,
he w as to som e s x te n t handicapped as th e E d u c a
tio n M em ber. H e was n o t his ow n m a ste r as
th e head of th e E d u catio n D eparutent, i s
he
practically now is in B urm a. H e h a d . to reckon
at* every step w ith th e even m asterlier p e rso n ality
of T-tprd H arding*. N evertheless by th e m iddle o f
1914, S ir H a rc o u rt, it is said, had m anaged to
p u t to g eth er a Bill i to am end th e Universitie.s A ct
o f 1904, wliich, if passed
w ould have
converted
th e existftig universities in to so m any d e p a rtm e n ts
o f th e S tate and 'taken aw ay
from th e m th e
last vestige of snm i-popular
(
n stiju tio n s
sm allest shred o f indept*udence.
and the
In !w o w ords the
In d ia n universities w ould have become w h a t th e
P a tn a U n iv ersity w ill be if th e B ill
now in tro
duced
w ere
nately — so
•
,
th e
be
enacted
re p o rt
as
goes— a
it
is.
B engal
F o r tu
non*
offlcial m em ber of th e Im perial Council g o t
a scent of it a n d taking advantage of th e w ar
he w ro te to S ir Tlarcoiirt a long 'le tte r of rem o n
strance pointing- o u t th a t if th is inform ation was
correct th e in tro d u ctio n of such a highly controver
sial m easure w ould place a trem endous strain on
th e lo y alty of th e educated classes. H e received
no reply to hia lette r b u t fo rtu n a te ly it had th e
desired effect as th e B ill was evidently shelved.
»
^
I
•
to
d u d g in g how ever from th e principles u n d e rly in g
th e P a tn a U n iv e rsity Bill, it is clear th a t Sir
H arco u rt was resolved to in se rt if he could the
th in end of th e wedge. H ence ap parently his
anxiety to fo rw ard th e Bill to th e S ecretary of
S tate tw o days before S ir Sankaran N a ir’s assum ption
o f ofRce— in fact a t a tim e w hen h e was actually
in th e tra in betw een C alcutta a n d D elhi. T h e.'idea
•
seems to be th a t th e m uch-renow ned stu rd y lo y alty
of th e B iharees w ould bear a n y strain how ever severe
•
a n d any tension how ever great.* If th e P ^ tn a Bill
be enacted, one very sim ilar t o . i t will probably be
in troduced in to th e Council fo r B u rm a and th e
(
)
CenfrH/ l ‘rovincGs and B erar.
tu rn of D acau
ft will th en be the
T here m ay be g rea t opposition to
th e m easure ’ in B engal b u t a fter all w h a t m ay ha\'e
been feasible for B ih ar a n d O rissa, C entral Provinces
a n d B u rm a need n o t be w holly im practicable for
E a ste rn B engal, A n d a few years after th ese U niveriitie s shall have w orked th e ir ‘success’ vîll have be
come
q u ite
agsured
from
th e official
s^tand
poin t
a n d the*
tim e
will
have
come for
assim ilating
to th e
ty p e of these ‘m odern’
universities th e
v ery
effete
ones
a t C alcutta
M adras, Bom bay, L ah o re a n d A llahabad. I t is no t
an alto g eth er fanciful o r im aginary p icture of tim e
if th e principles of th e P a tn a
U n iv ersity
Bill
are n o t opposed to o th a n d nail and if th e Grovernm ent are n o t given distin ctly to u n d e rsta n d th a t
B ihar a n d Orissa w ould sooner rem ain u n d e r the
jurisd ictio n o f the C alcutta U n iversity fo r ages
to come ra th e r th a n
have a u n iv ersity of its
ow n— of the ty p e and character fof^shadow ed in
th e B ill before th e Council. Such also should be
th e a ttitu d e o f th e o th er provinces w hich
are
bein^ prom ised • O niversities of th eir ow n fo r in
ex plaining the reason for the in tro d u ctio n of the
P a tn a Univers-'ty Bill in th e Im perial and n o t in the
Provincial Council, Sir S ankaran m ade the follow ing
significant o b serv atio n s:— ‘ Various U niversityJB ill are
com ing u p for coftffideration— U niversity Bills for
(
Dacca, fo r B urm a
99 )
and
for
N agpur
and
i t was
considered desirable th a t th e sam e Council
deal w ith
a ll th o se questions' follow ing
general principles.
H ere, th en , is th e
declaration by the E d u catio n M em ber o f th e
should
certain
official
policy
of th e G o v ern m en t of India, a n d it bears o u t
com pletely th e view I have v entured to p u t forw ard
in *this com m unication. Viewed* in th is light the
P a tn a
U n iv ersity B ill
is
an
*dl In d ia
question
and wii;s rig h tly treated as such w hen m em ber a fter
m em ber except, o f course, u n fo rtu n a te ly those foj.
B ehar— g o t u p to express his em phatic d isapproval
o f th e provisions of th e Bill. A n d well th e y mighty
fo r who know s b u t it m ay be th e th in end of th e
w edge
as
w as suggested
by
one o f
th e
speakeVs? T h e In d ian N atio n al C ongress and the
M uslim L eague m ay do w orse a t th eir L ucknow
session th a n bestow th e ir m ost careful a tte n tio n to
th e *propos^^.l U niversity a t P a tn a and I have no
d o u b t th a t th e L ea d er— w hich has a fine record* of
public w ork b ehind it will, in th e m eantim e give
prom inence to th is aspect of th e q u estio n an d invite
th e co-operation o f
its
In d ia n contem poraries
to p rese n t a united fro n t in opposition to th e P a tn a
U n iv ersity B ill.— T h e Leader.
(
100
)
From **the Express,*^ Bankipur.
W h ile it is h ig h ly desirable th a t th e re sh o u ld be
intim acy o f th o u g h t and co n stan t co-operation
betw een th e
G o vernm ent and th e U niversities
an y u n d u e interference w ith th e liberties of
the
la tte r a n d a tte m p t on th e p a rt of G o v ern m en t to
m ake th e m d e p a rtm e n ts of th e S ta te c an n o t b u t
be resented by educated people.
E v e ry civilised
G overn m ent prides itself on not encroaching u p o n
th e rig h ts a n d liberties of th e ir g re a t seats of
learning, w here teachers are allow ed to th in k o u t
th e ir real convictions a n d th e ir relation? -with th e
pupils re s u lt in an .alliance o f free m inds. B ritish
In d ia has been e n jo y in g th e boon of such free
U niversities for a lo n g tim e, an d it w o uld be
th o u san d pities if the people are deprived of it
now an d a policy of undesirable cu rta ilm e n t of
th is U n iv e rsity freedom is now in troduced by
G overnm ent. H ig h er education should n ev er be
used for political ends by
th e officialisation
of
U niversities. I t w ould p o llu te tlieir healthy
morak^ a n d intelfectual atm osphere.
I t w ould
destory
th eir
self-respect
and
autonom ous
character. T he lîrnes o f I n d ia , w hich has now a n d
th e n taken a rem arkably ju s t and
im partial
view of
questions^ affecting
the rig h ts and
aspirations of Indians, deserves th e best th an k s of th e .
(
101
)
peo;>le of B ih ar a n d OrLssa f o r .t h e in d ep e n d e n t a t
titu d e it has tak en in connection w ith th e P a tn a U n i.
versity Bill. “ T h e B ill as it is d ra fte d ,” observes
o u r con terap o rary , is far from satisfactory. W e
have w orked u p in In d ia to a certain sta n d a rd of i n
dependence a n d public sp irit in U n iv e rsity a d m in is
tra tio n . N othino; can be m ore d e trim e n ta l to th e
g ro w th of h ig h er
education
in fhis
c o u n try th an
t h a t a n y th in g should be done to debase th a t s ta n
d ard . W e need no rem in d er th a t B ih ar a n d O rissa is
a com paratively
backw ard province a n d th a t th e
sta n d a rd applicable to advanced provinces cannot be
applied to it. T h a t is good reason fo r p o stp o n in g
th e in au g u ra tio n of a new U n iv ersity , n o t to s ta rt
one w hich has little of a U n iv ersity a b o u t it b u t th e
nam e.” E du cated B ihar e n tirely concurs w ith th e
suggestion of th e Tim es th a t th e G o vernm ent sh o u ld
refer the Bill to th e older U niversities ‘w hose good
will is*o£ th e ifirst im portance to every new U niver
sity ’ for th o ir opinion and suggestion.
W e are nlso
q u ite in accord w ith th a t paper in th in k in g t h a t
“ the best course w ill be either *to s ta r t th e P a tn a
U n iv ersity larg ely on th e sam e lines as those of th e
ex istin g U niversities, o r to m ake it en tirely a resi
dential
an d teaching
Uni\êrsity, leav in g
the
m ofussil colleges to be affiliated, some peVlmps to the
A llahabad a n d o th ers to th e C alcutta Universities^”
(
102 )
Som e im jJortant facts have been b ro u g h t to lig h t
by th e îm Ia correspondent of th e L eader re g a rd in g
th e
in tro d u ctio n
of
the
P a tn a
U n iv e rsity
B ill
in
th e
Im p erial
Legislative
Council
The
Bill w ould
have stood
over till
th e
D elhi session, had n o t an in o p p o rtu n e question been
asked by a B ihar
M ember
on th e
subject.
Xhis^
th e w rite r th in k s, jn u s t have stre n g th e n e d th e h a n d s
of th e B ihar G overnm ent in pressing fo r an
im m ediate in tro d u c tio n of the Bill, w ith th e re su lt
th a t th e m easure was su bm itted
to th e
C ouncil a t
iti» last s ittin g in th e form in w hich it h ad p r a c ti
cally left Sir H arco u rt B u tler's hands. T h e n e x t
indiscretion com m itted by th e B ihar M em bers wBjj
th e glow ing eulogiuin bestow ed b y th em
upon
th e
B ill before k n ow ing a w ord a b o u t its provisions. T h e
educated people of B ih a r are really su rp rised a t th e
a ttitu d e of th e H o n ’ble M r. M azharul H aque, “ w ho
is
credited
by his
adm irers w ith^ ra th e r an
inordinate share o f independence and ^^ho, unlike
his B ih ar colleague, had n o t
p repared a set
speech, b u t spuke extem pore a t th e end of
th e debate, should have gone o u t of his w ay to
bless th e Bill a n d sn u b those colleagues of his
w ho h ad adver^êly friticised it by declaring th a t he
was n o t p r ^ a r e d to call it a retro g rad e m easure. ’
Such a reckless sta te m e n t com ing from a responsible
popular representative is only possible in Bilmr. Th5
(
lo.s )
educated section of th e people of th is province, both
H in d u s and M ahom edans, dissociate them selves
from any th o u g h tless opinion of th is kind and
feel keenly th a t th e educational progress of th e
province w ill be in a retrograde direction in fu tu re
if th e B ill, as it stan d s, becomes a law of the
lan d .
I f th e B ih ar
M embers in *he Im perial
Council w a n t tr u ly to represent th e ir co n stitu en ts and
to w in th e ir respect and confidence, th e y should
,
rep u d iate a n d p ro te st against th e reactionary provisions o f th e B ill w ith all th e em phasis th e y can
com m and in th e Council. T hey sh o u ld n o t ru sh in
w ith th e ir ‘ty p e sc rip t’ o r extem pore elequence w ith
o u t co n su ltin g and follow ing th e advice of th eir
d istin g u ish e d colleagues in th e C ouncil like the
y
H o n ’ble P u n d it M alaviya, D r. S ap ru , M r. Sitalvad
etc. T h a t e d u c a te d B ihar is alm ost unanim ous in
condem ning th e
•
retro g rad e
m easure
fro m th e u n u su a l activity of
B ihar P ro v m cial A ssociation,
th e
th e
is
ap p aren t
ever-lethargic
only political
o rganisation in th e
P rovince,
to
disillusion
th e
m in d s of th e
people
reg ard in g th e *socalled boon th a t is going to b^ bestow ed / u p o n
"
,
th em . T h e y
are
collecting e x p e rt
o))inions,
issuing pam phlets and have arrarigpd to liold a
••
special Conference w ith the .H o n ’ble R ai Bahadur
P u rn e n d u N aray an Sinha as ^presidenf to carry on
a steady a n d constitutional ag itation ag ain st th e
(
104 )
m easure, ■wliich has created a deep a n d w idespread
feeling of alarm even in a backw ard province like
B ibar. T h e .C onference should call upon th e B ehar
M em bers to oppose in th e Council the
proposal
to refer th e B ill to a
Select C om m ittee. W e
have every reason to hope th a t th e eyes o f th e
H o n ’ble M r. M azhurul H aque and
Roi
B ah ad u r
K rishna Sahai w ill be opened in th e lig h t of the
resolutions p a sse d , by th e Conference and tliey
w ill n o t fail to discharge; th eir sacred
d u ty to
those w hom th e y have th e h o n o ir to represent.
F rom vtke **Beharee,** Bankipore.
P erh ap s the greatest objection that the ed u cated
p eo p le o f Behar h a v e go t to p u t ; against theifprovision
of the Bill is the sm all p o w e r s o r !a b se n c e o f an y p ow er
b esto w ed on the S en ate a n d the S ynd icate.
T h e s e b o d ies
h ave b een organised to w ork a s advisory b o d ies som eth in g
lik e th e R u ssia n D um a, h avin g n o authority to in sist the
a cc ep ta n ce of an y of their v ie w s.
T h e a p ologists, h a v e
stated that sin ce m ost o f the S yn d ics a n 5 the S en ators
w ould n ot be practical ed u cationists it h as *been found
a d v isa b le to entrust
them actually with
sm all tp o w ers
and tb e m ain authority sh ould b e placed in the E ducation
D ep artm en t of the
G overn m ent.
If
that is
the
rea\
intention o f the framers of the Bill then there is no
n ece ssity o f building such a h u ge structure. T h e G o v e rn ,
m ent Education D epartitient is m anaging and controlling
the vernacular prim ary ^<ûcadon of the country, an d th ey
c o u y h a v e a s w ell taken the additional burden of m a n a g in g ,
Yr
(
LUd )
-and controlling th e
secon dary an d higher education
by
the addition !of a
le w
m ore clerks
in
the
o f f i c e o f the D irector of P ublic Instruction. «W e hold that
in the matter of U n iversity education it is n ot the Education
D ep artm en t w h ich sh ould d ecid e the iss u e s— it is there
o n ly an ex e cu tiv e b od y to carry ou t the orders of the
S yn d icate. W e a lso h old that the depzirtment is n o t cap
a b le to d ecid e on all. issu e s e v e n if the function h ad
d ev o lv e d on it. T h ere are im portant iss u e s w hich the
p o liticia n s afonc are fit p erson s to take into m ature
consifieration.
W h at facu lties sh ould b e created so £is to initiate
a n d en su re th e p rogress of our provin ce ; w h a t cou rses
sh o u ld b e a d op ted ; w heth er vernacular sh ou ld b e g iv en
greater exten sio n in th e U n iversity ; h o w far the in s
truction o f th e c la ssic s nam ely, o f Sanskrit and A ra b ic
sh o u ld b e en cou raged » and s o forth— are im portant q u es
tio n s w h ich the E d ucation D ep artm ent can n ot fairly d ecid e.
T h e s e q uestions sh o u ld b e le ft entirely in the hand s of
th e S ynd icate a n d th e S en a te an d th ey Ithe S ynd icate
a n d th e S en a te) sh ould b e m ad e as representative a s
practicable. T h e y sh ould
exp ress th e w ill o f the
p e o p le . T h en o n ly w ill th e P atn a U n iversity justify its
ex iste n c e. T h ^ fram ing o l the U n iversity regulations
sh ould b e p laced in th e h a n d s o f the m em b ers of the
S yn d icate. B y th at w ill th e U n iversity b e a popiâr
institution g o vern ed partly b y the p e o p le for the beni/it
o f the p eo p le.
»
n.
T h ere can b e no d en yin g the fact thaj the m oat
unaccep tab le o f the p rovision s ,o / th e P a tn a U n iv ersity
(
ros
y
Bill, a s OUT contem porary of th e 1“ M o d em R e v ie w ” , in
a n a b ly written article on the subject; rem arks, is its
aston ish in g feature o f practicHy m aking u niversity education
in th e provin ce
starionary.
O b ser v es
th e ” M odern
R e v ie w ” :—
*
“ It is a strange p rinciple that the B ill h as ad opted ,
n a m ely, that those tow n s w hich h a v e
c o lle g e s n o w
^
m a y h a v e m ore, but th o se w hich h a v e n o t got a n y m ust ‘
n o t h a v e e v e n on e- T h is is tantam ount to
sa y in g , th o se
“
w h o are sufficiently or in sufficien tly
fed
m ay • h ave
*
m ore food b u t th<ise w h o are a b so lu tely starving m ust .
n o t h a v e a n y .”
S o it is. Behar is ad m itted ly th e m o st b ack w ard
p ro v in ce in m atters of education an d if
the b ill i s
p a s se d
w ithout
an y
m odification,
the
future
of
th e provin ce is <Jmost sesded...........................................
*
#
/
\
*
III,
•
.
W e w ill b e failing in our d uty if w e d o n ot g iv e vent, in
u nm istak ab le term s, to th e
great d isap p oin tm en t that the
Bill h as cau sed in the province, and already m an y am o n g st
ou r countrym en are w ond erin g if it w o u ld n o t b e better
to con tin u e the old regim e’ rather than en ter th e n e w o n e
w h ich se e m s certain ly to usher in an era o£ a m ore or
lesg officialised university.
We
know
'
w ith w h a t liv ely
in terest the ruler o f our p ro v in ce h a s b een w orking for
the realization of our w ish for a U n iv ersity o f our o w n ;
amd w e n o w look up to him to intercede on our b eh alf and
gu aran tee that the Bill in its p resen t form w ould n ot b e
p a sse d , a n d sh all
he
thoroughly
lib eralised
b efo re
ij
b e c o m e s an .Apt.
W e h a v e in our form er issu e s extracted q uotations from
•,
(
107
)
various n ew sp ap ers and periodicals, an d it w o u ld h a v e b een
o b se r v e d h o w there is a g en eral c o n se n su s of opinion
^ a m o n g st the Indian organs that the Bill as it sta n d s is a
retrograde” in stead of a forward ste p — and w h a t is rem a rk a b le j is that e v e n so m e A n glo-In d ian
journals h a v e
testified to a sim ilar opinion. T h e ob jections
raised
a g a in st the
P atn a
U n iversity Bill
w ith regard to
the undue
lx>cal G overn m ent, to
the
are
in th e
p ow er
v e ste d
peculiar * a n d
m ain
in the
unlim ited
p o w ers given to the V ice-ch an cellor, and to the c o n s
titution o f the S yn d icate an d the S en a te. T h ere is an
apprehension that “there are p ersisten t efforts in the
Bill to elim in ate non-official e lem en t”— an d certainly it
is but fair to e x p ec t that in the w ork o f education
>
th e
p e o p le
vnll h a v e
a
real a n d
vital v o ic e. ,
.
.
From the “ BeAar H erald^' Bankipore.
,
O u r rea<lers m u s t have b y th is tim e become fam i
liar w ith i t s dctaris. T h e U n iv e rsity we are goinfr
to have is m uch
inferior in co n stitu tio n ,^ even to
#
tlie A llahabad U n iv ersity , th e p ro ty p e of w hich,
th e P a tn a U n iv e rsity w as to be. ^ T h e
H o n ’ble
M r. S aprn of Alliihaba*!, condem ned th e sam o'in
th e Council characterizing it as o f inferior brand.
I t is v ery difficult to fin d th e reaso n fo r la u n
c h in g .such a n U n iv e rsity in B ehar. Can it Ix*
t h a t th e advisers o f th e ineasuije, w ere w ith in th e
* tw o lio rn s o f dilleiiia ?
W e rem em ber th e fam ousi
d ic tu m o f Bacon, th a t know ledge is pow er. B u t
(
•fficials rem em ber tlie
108
)•
‘a n tiq u a te d
biblical m axim :
*
‘H e th a t incrcaficth know ledge increaseth sorrow ^
a n d lest th e Bebariy have a su rfe it of the “ fru it
of th a t F orbidden T ree, vs'hosc m ortal ta ste b ro u g h t
<leath in to th e w orld a n d all o u r woe,” th e y w ere,
forew arned in
thiai.sting this d o u b tfu l blessing upon.
^
•
th e B eharis. W ere th e y actu ated by Iium unitariau •
m otive th a t th e backwar<l B ehans should n o t be*
allow ed, all of a sudden, to em erge o u t of cim m erion '
darkness, lest th e y m ig h t u n d e rg o th e fate of th e ^
fallen angel w ho “ blasted w ith excess of lig h t closed
his eyes in endless n ig h t” ? A\'"as it for th is th a t a
system >vas evolved w here dim lig h t m ig h t co u n te r
feit a gloom ? T h e B eharis in a n y case are now ruubing th e ir eyes an d to th e ir chagrin, find th a t th e
proposed U niversity, in ste a d of being an illu m in a n t
reflecting pure lig h t, w ould be a caricature, for
“ from those flames no lig h t b u t ra th e r d arkness visi*
ble” w ill be felt all aro u n d .
^
\
T o be serious, it seem s th a t w ith one blow
all o u r cherished hopes have been shattere<l. T he
Senate a n d th e Syndicate
are to be devoid o f
all real pow ers a n d th e y are to be reduced toth e position of being im p o rta n t a d v iso ry bodies,
w hose ^suggestions* th e E d u catio n
D e p a rtm en t of
G overnm ent is lyDt bo u n d to accept. T h e p o p u lar
elem en t in th e Senate a n d Syndicate h as kên * •
reduced to an e x te n t th a t th e y
w oul3
h a rd ly
•
( :109 )
.
be recognisable as representative board#
nam e.
all b u t in
I t will p ro b ab ly be th e first o f
its
kind
w’here a S enate -will be m erely a
deliberative
bod y h a v in g no pow er or co n tro l
over
th e
S yndicate,
and
w here th e
S yndicate
in
it>i tu r n will have no }>ower to fram e lln iv er'. d t y
regulations, w h ilst
practicaliy be th e
T h e n e x t th in g
tluit slionld have
itself, have Ixam
rcgulutions. Cun
fjiicsiions
o rd in a ry
including
specified
th e
V icc;C hancellor
will
untocrat.
th a t strikes one, is, th a t provisions,
been includefl in th e enactm ent
left to be d ealt w ith by th e
th ere be the least d o u b t, t h a t
re g a rd in g the du ratio n of office of th e
m ein b ers of th e Syndicate a n d Senate,
th a t o f th e first m em bers, should be
in th e
A ct.
T hen
again
such
im p o rta n t pow ers like th e co n ferrm en t an d w ithdr.iw l o f degftiCvS,
diplom as, certificates should
also be cl(!ffi’iy laid dow n in th e A ct.
T h e c o n stitu tio n of th e Syndicate is such th a t
\ ery few in d ep e n d e n t m en ■would fin d it possibleto g e t in it. T h e p re se n t Bill has l)cen excellent
ly designed to reduce
to a m iiiin iu in n o t only
th e pow er o f in te rv en tio n h u t. of co-operation o f
th e non-official m em bers.
•
• •
*
H o ^ s -were given a t th e o u tse t, th a t
a
i
(
110 )
College o f th e nam e “ K in g ’s College” w o u ld be establiBhed. T h a t h a s gone o u t fo r th e p re se n t.
B u t w ith
w h a t justification has the D iam ond
J u b ile e College
of
M onghyr been o rdained
to b e discontinued ?
In
our
la s t
article,
dealing
w ith
P ro fessso r
J.
K.
S a rk ar’s
p ow erfu l plea th a t th e re o u g h t to be cheap education?
o n th e analogy of th e S cottish U n iv e rsity ,
had
occasion to say th a t i t was in keeping w ith th e best«
educational stan d ard a n d th e intellectual tra d itio n s o f
In d ia , In cid en tly we rem arked th a t V id y asag ar’s cheap
College, soon follow ed by others, helped a greiit dea]
in th e expansion of education in B engal. I f th e con
dition of esUibiishing o n ly costly colleges is enforced,
th e n B eh ar will have to proceed w ith a h a lte r ro u n d
its neck from the s ta r t o f its educational career. W e
read w ith g re a t m isgivings, th a t no college couM
be established except in th e fo u r centres, v b , B hagnlp u r , C uttack, H azaribagh an d M ozafferpore. .
In P a tn a itself no college could b e. established,
unless it could be located w ith in a m ile from tlie
Council
H a ll .a c c o rd in
to M r. N a ir’s speech
in * th e * C ouncil,
or
from
th e
Senate
H ouse, according to
th e
Bill.
The
m y ste ry
of lim itin g th e distance
to
a
m ile
only
is
in scrutable,
W hy
o th e r
non-collegiate
fo r instance, Ranchi* o r G aya, m ig h t
a •C ollege rem ains
unexplained.
It
D istricts,
n o t possess
nwist
Re
( 111 ;
rem em bered,
th a t som etim e ago, • th e
Bengal
O o v ern m en t, w hen B eh ar w as its p a rt, w anted
to establish a College a t R anchi. I f it is a good
place for
th e p e rm a n en t location
of
th e
H ead
Q u a rte rs of o u r G overnm ent, w h y could it n o t
be an equally good fja c e fo r a College, to give
o u r y o u n g m en th e ad v an tag e o f its salubrious clim ate
a n d the possible im m u n ity fro m th e physical and
m oral im p u rities o f congested *and contam inated
D istricts, passes o u r com prehension. T h e c u rta il
m e n t o f th e M o n g h y r College iintl th e prohibition
to establish new colleges are sti*ange com m entary
o n H is
M ajesty , th e K in g -E m p ero r’s historic
pi’onouncem ent, w nerein H is M ajesty sa id :— “ I t
is in y w ish, th a t th e re jn ay be spread over
th e land,
a
n e t w o rk of
leges,
fro m w hich w ill go
a n d useful citizens, able to
schools and
col
fo rtli loyal, m an ly
h o ld th e ir ow n in
in d u strie s a n d a g ric u ltu re an d all th e vocations
of life. A n d i t is m y w isli, to o th a t th e hom es
of m y In d ia n subjects m ay
be b rig h ten ed and
th e ir
lab o u r
sw eetened by
th e spread
of
know ledge a n d w ith w h a t follow s in its tra in , a
h ig h e r level of th o u g h t, o f com fort and o f h e a lth .”
I f th e officials th in k th a t m ak in g education m ore a n d
m ore costly, th e ex tin ctio n o£ m oderately equipped
colleges a n d th e prohibition^ ^to establish colleges
,in new centres, are th e effective a n d p o ten t m eans
(
112
)
to c a rry o a t th e policy of th e Kiagf, then i t is
a stra n g e reading o f H is M ajesty ’s m essage indeed !
I t is th e blasting of all fu tu re h opes and the
s to p p in g of all educational im provem ents. Sir
J a m e s M ackintosh said, ‘diffused know ledge im m ortalizps itself.” T he Official U n iv ersity w ould, how ever,
he th e veritable fu n era l p y re w'here “ suppressed
knoTvledge will self-inim olate itself,” th o u g h *the
officials them selves w ould sh u d d e r a t th e idea,
s ta r t a t th e shadow o f th e ir ow n creation !
and
T h e educational f u tu r e is equally f to u g h t w ith
d an g e ro u s possibilities I t forebodes th e p o ten tial
m enace to all ex istin g U niversities,, for th e reactio n ary
principles once
let
loose
have
no
re stin g
place. T h e y ■will
b u rro w under
gTouud a n d
d ig
up
th e
ro o ts
even
of
grow n
up
In stitu tio n s th o u g h vencralde w ith age. T h ere w ouhl
1k‘ real p eril n o t o n ly to th e w cekling P a tn a U niver
sity b u t even to th e sta lw a rts o f o u r sister provvnces.
T h e speecli of th e H o n ’ble K rish n a S a k iy w annl}'
w elcom ing th e U n iv ersity Bill has )>een m isread in
certain (juarters. liv e n he d id no t com m it him self
to a ll th e clauses of th e B ill.
B e h a r is one, B ehar is unanim ous, in d e m a n d
in g
th a t
th e
B ill should
be su b sta n tia lly
m oditied tQ ,gjve ua the* tru e bread of life a n d light^
o r be ■withdrawn alto g eth er. W e a re far b e tte r off
w ith B engal in m atte rs of U n iv ersity th a n w e*w ould'
(
an
ap o lo g y
))
be
w ith
of ' a n
Tlniversity only
fo r
o u rs
and
w ill
th e
pleasure
of trum peting- fo rth t h a t
is a ‘self-contained’ province. T h e H in d u s
M ahom m edans, th e Bengalees a n d th e B ih aris
be. equal sufferers.
W e are glad to note th a t o u r leaders h i
th e rto n o ted for th e ir soporofic sleep a n d soinnum bulisin, a re
a stir a n d haVe ; become
alive
to th e new d a n g er th a n w hich n o th in g m ore
serious o r disastro u s h as crossed th is p ro v in c e .
If
ev er
th is
Rill
comes to
be
passed
in its e n tire ty o r w ith o u t being sh o rn of ih» m ost
objectionable clauses, th e B eharis w ill have to
curse th e d ay w hen th e y d ream t of sep aratin g
th is P ro v in ce fro m B engal.
T h ere are e x te n u a
tin g circum stances to
ex p lain aw ay th e inferior
s ta tu s of th e P a tn a H ig h C ourt, b u t th e re «re
n one to ju s tify th e ex trem ely retro g ra d e policy
a c tu a tin g *the official m in d
in fo rm u la tin g th is
U n iv e rsity B ill. M ay G od give prudence a n d fo re
s ig h t to th e a u th o ritie s to u n d e rsta n d a n d gauge
th e in te n sity a n d th e keeness « f B e h a r’s d isa p p o in t
m e n t an d eith er m end o r end th e p rep o ste ro u s
B ill to save th e face o f th is ill-fated provincel
T h a t th e proposed u n iv e rsity w ith all its ob
jectionable clauses w ill n o t be acceptable to th e
people is clear from th e f a c t' t h a t an e x tra o rd in a ry
seasfoD of th e B ehar P rovincial Conference, has been
(
114
)
<ialled, w ith B a i* B a h a d u rP u rn e n d u N a ra y a n S in h a ,a s
P re e id e n t, to e n te r a p ro te s t to th e obnoxious clauses.
T h e p u b licatio n of iu fo rm in g pam p h lets to educate
public opinion on th e m atte r, is an o th e r usefu l item
in its p ro p ag an d a. W e h eartily w ish th e Conference
e v e ry success.
F r o m th e “ AfeiD /n c /m ,” M a d r a s .
•
W hen b ir S ahkaran N air in troduced a t the
last m eeting of th e S uprem e L egislative Council
th e B ill to create a U n iv ersity a t P a tn a , a large
n u m b er of In d ia n s, w ho did n o t g o th ro u g h
h is speech carefully, w ere su rp rised to
find an
I n d ia n M em ber o f E d u catio n backing so reactionary
a m easure. T h e new U n iv ersity , u n less th e B ill be
d rastically am ended in th e Select Com m ittee, will
w holly an officialised body, and th e Senate, w here
In d in n opinion will be rep resen ted , th o u g h in a
m m o rity w ill have n o effective voice a t all in sh ap in g
th e affairs of th e U n iv e rsity . E v e ry one* knew th a t
S ir S ankaran
N a ir held q u ite
d iffe re n t view s
a s to* th e e x te n t of official control perm issible
in that^ in stitu tio n . *W hy th en did he back u p such
a m easure ? T h ese critics failed to
note
his
fctatem ent th u t th e D ra ft B ill had been sent for
th e approval o f th e S ecretary o f vState ju s t lx?fori> he
assum ed charge of hie office, a n d a fte r it rtjceivetl
sanction from W h itc h a ll'it was n o t possible to alter
its C onstitution.
•
< 115 >
It
is n e c e ssa rj to n o te th is fa c t, fo r
reasons.
sevenil
In th e first place, it show s th e w ay
w hich th e h an d s o f S ir
in
S ankaran N a ir w ere tied
h y his predecessor in a fashion w hich is a d m itte d ly
u n fair. S ir H a rc o u rt B u tle r actu ally
sent th e
D ra ft B ill to E n g la n d w hen S ir S ankaran N a ir
w as on th e w ay from M adras to assum e charge of
^
*
his ^ office. W e
fu lly recognise th e d e p th
of
S ir H a rc o u rt’s desire to
have * an
officialised
U n iv ersity , b u t since i t w as his successor w hose
^
fu n ctio n it could n o t b u t
become to p ilo t
th e B ill th ro u g h
th e
(Council,
w as it
f*ir
th a t
th e
la tte r sh o u ld n o t have even a look
a t th e d r a f t before it w as finally ap p ro v ed ? M oro ver we all know how little
resp o n sib ility a
re tirin g m em ber of C ouncil is generally w illin g to
take concerning m a tte rs desired by public opinion.
T h e invariable rep ly is th a t th e decision m u st be
• left to th e successor. T h e perform ance o f S ir
H a rc o u rt B utlS r w as dictated
by q u ite th e o p p osite a n d ucftiatural 'policy. W h y ? Is i t becausp
pf
th e successor w as to be an In d ia n .
T h e re is one o th e r reason w h y th is in cident
should be n o ted
p ro m in en tly . O u r read ers will
])robably
l)6 gan,
rem em ljer
th e
th a t
G overuinent
ju s t
before
o f . In d ia
th e
B"ur
had
an
nounced th e ir desire to introduce a Bill lo am end
, • th e U niv ersities A c t o f 1904.
A ccording to a cor<*
(
116 )
resspondeiiC— a d m itte d ly w eU -inform ed— o f th e “ Lejid e r,” th e m easure w as o f s u c h , a reactionary n a tu re
t h a t if passed, it w ouki have converted th e existiu/^
U niversities into so m an y d e p a rtm e n ts o f tlie
Htate and taken aw ay from th em th e la s t vestige
of sem i*pop\ilar in stitu tio n s a n d th e sm allest slired
oi' independence. I n tv\’o w ords, th e In d ia n U n iv er
sities
w o u ld have
become w h a t th e
P a tn a •
U n iv e rsity
will be if th e Bill now in troduced
•
w ere to V)e enacted as it is.
U ortunately— so ,
th e re p o rt
g o e s-a B engal non-ofBcial m em ber
of th e Im p e ria l Council g o t a scent of it a n d ta k in g
^
a d v a n ta g e of th e o u tb re a k of th e w a r h e w rote to
S ir H a rc o u rt a lo n g le tte r o f rem o n stran ce p o in tin g
o u t th a t if his in fo rm atio n was correct, th e in tr o
d u c tio n of such a h ig h ly controversial m easure w ould
place a trem en d o u s strain on the lo y a lty
of th e
ed u cated classes. H e received no rep ly to h is le tte r
b u t fo rtu n a te ly it b a d th e desired effect, as th e B ill
was evidently sh elv ed . J u d g in g , how ever, from th e *
principles u n d e rly in g th e P a tn a U n iv e rsity fiill, it is
clear th a t S ir H a rc o u rt w as resolved tb in se rt if he
could th e th in en d of th e w edge. H ence a p p a re n tly
h is a n x ie ty to fo rw a rd th e B ill to th e S e c re tary of
S ta te tw o days before S ir S ankarnn N a iP s a s su m p
tio n of office— in fact, a t a tim e -when h e w as a c tu a l
ly in th e tra in betw*een C alcutta a n d D elhi.
Sir H a rc o u rt B u tle r calculated t h a t B ih a r w ould
accept th e B ill even in th a t fo rm ; and if t h a t b e •
-•
(
117
)
<loiie, otiicr new U niversities weVe, likely to be
(’o n stitu te d on th e
sam e m odel. I n th e end,
m ay T>e found possible— he seems to have
th o u g h t
— to m o d ify
th e
co n stitu tio n
o f even th e
ex istin g ITnversities on th e sam e j)attern . Viewe<l
in th is
lig h t, a d d s
th e
correspondent, th e P a tn a
U n iversity B ill is a n a ll-In d ia question. O u r re]>resentativ es in the S uprem e Council are fu lly aw are of
t h a t ; and w hen th e B ill w as introduced, every one
o f th em except tlie representatives o f B ihar w ho
seem ed to be u n d e r som e delusion, spoke stro n g ly
ag ain st its reactionary ten d en cy .
V'
4
** 35ihar pro v in cial H ssociation XTtacfs.’
<S:
1;
• 1,;
«:
^
'
1
III
NOTE
i'
I
ON
'S:'
I
T H E PATN A U N IV E RS IT Y BILL
.1916
P U B L IS H E D
R A JH N D R A
BY
PRASAD
t
J o i n t S e c r e ta r y , B ih a r
P ro v in c ia l
b a n k i p o r e
Association-
.
:1
FOREWORD
A t
a.
sp ecial
cialw ^sso ciatio n ,
a
c o m m itte e
E s q r.
m e e tin g
h e ld
o n
th e
c o n sistin g
o f
B ar-a t-L av v .
P u r n e n d u
T h e
N a r a y a n
N a r a y a n
u n d e rs ig n e d
w a s
P a t n a
sp ecial
fe re n c e
v e m b e r,
th a t
a s
o f
h eld
1916,
C o m m itt^ ê
p .iiiiphiet
c iatio n
^10.
T refcis”
B ill,
th e
h e re
(or
is
3
S y e d
M .
a p p o in te d
sessio n
to
2 9 th
S in h a
U n iv er.sity
o n
th e
H o n 'b le
S in h a
B a id y a n a th
th e
o f
A ..
M .
to
to
A
c o n sid e ra tio n .
is su e d
o f
th e
in
W a s i
R a i
M .
th e
< ‘^ i h a r
1 9 1 6
A h m e d
B a h a d u r
B.
L .
B a b ^
L .
a n d
th e
a
n o te
o n
b e p la c e d
2 5 th
P ro v in
O c to b e r,
p re p a re
B ih a r
th e
B ih a r
b efo re
P ro v in c ia l
a n d
T h e
2 6 th
n o te
th e
C o n
N o .
o f
fo llo w in g p ^ g e s
P ro v in cin l
A s s o
series.
B A N K IPO R E
'i
R ajcndra P rasad ,
T h e [gf h Aôvem ber, r J o in t- S e z r H ^ r y , ^ i h a r
i y i 6\
J
Provinci<i\ A sso c ia tio n .
i
Bar o
T
:
e
ON
• J h e Patna UniveFsitv J3iII
r
In * p a rs a a n c e o f
'A sso c ia tio n
h e ld
u n d ersiiy n ed
P a tn a
o f th e
2 5 th
a n d
reso lu tio n
o n
th e
2 9 th
p re p a re d th e
U n iv e rs ity
sessio n
th e
h a v e
a
Bill
to
be
P ro v in c ia l
2 6 th
o f.th e
O c t.
P ro v in c in r
16,
follow ing
placed
n o te
b efo re
C o n fe re n c e
w e
to
th e
be
th e
o n
th e
special
h eld
o n
1916.
N o v .
O bjects and R easons,
T h e
m e m b e r
failed
H o n ’b l e
in
c h a rg e
in t h e
Education
S ir S a n k a ra n
N a ir, th e
o f th e
U n iv e rs ity
s ta te m e n t
P a tn a
o f
o b je c ts
a n d
B ill,
h a s
re a so n s
to
»
s h o w
sity
th e n e c e s sity
a s p ro p o s e d
o f th e
B ill.
B ih a r a n d
n o t b e e n
o f
T h e r e
O ris s a
told
i
9o 4
b e
is
n o
a n d
as
laid
w o u ld
•re q u ire m e n ts o f
c o n stitu te d
d o u b t th a t
n e e d s a
w h y
U n iv e rs itie s
A c t o f
o f th e e sta b lis h m e n t o f a
to
o u r
p a rS g r a p h * th a t w e
n o t
b y
w h a t
d o w n
bo
g e t s o m e
b u t
resp ects
b y
th e
sufficient
p ro v in c e .
U n iv e r
p ro v isio n s,
“ |;h e P r o v i n c e
U n i v e r s i t y ’'
in
th e
w e
hA ve
th e
ty p e
U n iv e rs itie s
to
It Is o n ly
in d ic a tio n
o f
.n > eet th e
in
o f th e
th e
3 rd
re a so n s
(
w h ic h
h a v e
b e e n
m e n t o f the*
s ta te d
iti.
a p p e n d e d
)
a d d u c e d
p ro p o s e d
th e
to
2
to ju stify
U n iv e rs ity .
s ta te m e n t
th e
B ill, a r e
o f
ilie e s ta h lis h T h e
o b je c ts
reaso n s,
a n d
a p p a re n tly 'tw o
as
re a so n s
viz
;—
•
(
tc
t
b e
J
th e
a
s u p re m e necessity
self-c o n ta in ed
(2)
to
g iv e
far as
ih e
n u m b e r
u n d e r
its ju ris d ic tio n ,
T h e s e
U n iv e rs ity
lio n
for
m a d e
in
th e
said
1 9 0 4
in
w a s
th e
B ill.
a s
im p r o v e m e n t
e v o k e d
th e
it
p e o p le
v ain
are
d ra stic
o f
b y
e d u c a tio n
th a t
for
in
as
a re
p r o
A c t
in
for
w as
G o v e r n m e n t
a
for
th e
th e
p a ss e d
io u n f r y
cour.se
of
o f
th r o u g h o u t
tt
h a s
O ris sa
re p o rt
th e
b e
c o n d itio n s
a n d
s c h e m e
b efo re
a
e x istin g
G o v e r n m e n t
a
criticisnis
p o ssib le
th e
to
N o th in g
U n iv e rs itie s
result
A c t
th e
special
B ih a r
c h a n g e s
T lie
a
th a t
d e p a rtu re ,
fro m
th e
o f
o f
for a n y ju stifica-
of co n stitu tio n .
e x p e c te d
b e
e sta b lis h m e n t
U n iv e rsity ,
h ig h e r
serio u s
U n iv e rs ity
e d tic atio n
'
serio u s
fo rm u la tin g
<»f
E v e n
v e ry
w oitld'
in
a p p o in te d
a n d
C a lc u tta
re c e iv in g
th e
p ro v in c e
su ch
C o m m is s io n
&
w h a t
th e
p a ss e d
’c o n s i d t n i n g
c o u n try .
lo o k s
m a r k e d
to
in
ju stify
p o s e d
ju stify
re s p e c t
a s
o b ta in in g
w h ic h
in
p ro v in c e
is c o n c e r n e d .
p ro p o s e d
U n iv e rs itie s
b e e n
stu d en ts,
o n e
v e ry
n e w
a n d
relief to th e
o f
m a y
b u t
th e
o n e
o f th e
o f
a n d
tim e
to
lib-
so
(
♦rj'alise
in
it
so
matters
•190B, the
as
of
to
3
Îve greater
U niversity
year
when
force,
n o t h i n g ’ has-
one
could
reasonably
Act
which
voice
by
on
the
its
of
1^04
came
from
which
Act
gather
govern
framers,
lines
so
that
all
as
suggested
them
Since
transpired
the
tlie
to
provisions
existing
v e r s i t i e s , lia v e failed to a c h i e v e t h e
at
to
admiiiisiratnm.
the
into
o f that
)
U ni
objects
aim ed
require rem od ellin g
by tiie
pteseiit
Bill.
T h e n a tu re of th e c h a n g e s so u g h t
to be introduced,
T h e cl i i e f
characterislics of the
B i ll ,
if stated
in a f e w w o r d s , a r e : —
(1) R e d u c in g
popular
(2) C e n t r a l i s i n g all
single
powers
the
h iO
ofh^
e r ’ e d u c a t i o n in t h e
It
is
very
d i f f i c ul t
f a r - r e a c h i n g a n d radical
and
O rissa
Calcutta
U niversity
sity
o f their
own,
their
to
ol
justify
wanted
it w a s
proper and
and
to
only
the
expan
Province.
changes.
ever
the
having
a m inim um
in t h e h a n b s o f a
possibility
of
Bihar
to
individual.
(3) ^Curtailing
sion
control
any
If
to
of
ihes?
the p eop le o f
separate
from
have
a
U niver
with
a
view
legitiifiale
sh are,iu
to
the
(
administration
so
a
that
o f the
4
)
affairs
h igher education
more
generous
scale
of
the
m ight
than
be
U niversity
im panecl
hitherto d o n e
ori
and
that ih e r e h y th ey m ig h t b e able to t a k e their p rop er
p l a c e in t h e v a r i o u s d e p a r t m e n t s o f
U niversity
education
sary
passport.
The
from
the^ U n i v e r s i t y o f C a l c u t t a
adequately
d e m a n d for
only
in
the
d em a n d s on the part o f the
Provinces
when
the
and
the
province
in
is
the
ges
year
pud
by
of
scholars
and
Agra
in th e
the
.population
- of I h h a r a n d
Orissa
A ilalm bad
and
our
in
were
7
educaiion.
Arts C o lle
whereas
5784
s c h o l a r s in t h e '
And 7 C o l l e g e s
In o t h e r w o r d s , with
Bengal
h a d sfg
the
the
province
number
C o l l e g e s a n d q, t h e n u m b e r o f scholars; w it h
6(7 t h e p o p u l a t i o n o f
M adras
num ber o f C ollege^
and a
15808
0 udb. 9 ' C o l l e g e s
Punjab
of
and
in
and 8 fS o sch olars
and
a n d 3 3 8 1 s c h o l a r s in l i o m b a y .
met
A dm ittedly
scholars;
C olleges
U nited
were
were 3 1 Colleges
C olleges
Provinces
3496
there
2227
the
Punjab
of
h a v e been '
t h a t *simila/
of
backward
Bengal, 84
in M ad ras, 3 6
U nited
the
I914-15
year there
s c h o l a r s in
way
which
a neces
separation
could
established.
very
attended
the sam e
of
were,
for
their
people
U niversities
Punjab
life
is c o n s i d e r e d t o b e
it h a d
little m o r e
about
than
of Arts
about
1/5
the
the
(
‘ n u m b e r o f scliolars;
o f t.f. P . it h a d
and
with
Hbout
• scholars
about ^
Punjab
C olleges
"and
and w ith- about
^ Jiomb.-i^^ it
jwid a b o u t ^
had
an
tlie
number
scholars;
t h e p o p u la t i o n of the
of
)
ijs t h e
2 5 the num ber of
uumbe**
5
o f College®
with
about twice
it h a d a b o u t ^
^
the num ber
twice
the
o f scholars.
professional co lleg es and scholars
tlie
of
p o p u la ti o n of
equal num ber
the num ber
populatioa
of
colleges
As
regards
receiving instruc
t i o n t h e r e i n t h e c o n d i t i o n o f B i h a r & O r i s s a is evên
,
worse. A w id e diffusion ofliberal education, therefore,
is v e r y urgently' n e e d e d to e n a b le
lost g r o u n d .
us to r e c o v e r o u r
W h a t is n e c e s s a r y ,
place within ea s y reach
of the
at
p r e s e n t , is t o
m i d d l e câss p e o p i e ,
w h o a l o n e h e r e , a s e l s e w h e r e in
India, a v a il t h e m -
s e l v e s o f th e facilities o f h ig h e r ed u cation, t h e m e a n s
o f necessary
e q u i p m e n t s for e n t e r in g
professions o p en
to
social usefulness
and
serhui.sly m u n t a in e d
t h e m a n d for
j)ublicgood.
that the
a s at p r e s e n t c o n s t it u t e d ,
the
l e a d i n g a li f e o f
N o w , can
Calcutta
stands
various
it b e
University,,
the w ay of the
a c h i e v e m e n t o f t h i s o b j e c t ? If s o s h o u l d it lê r e n i ' f l e l i e d o n t h e ] i i i 5 S o f t h e P a t n a U n i v e r s i t } ^ Bi ll ?
a n d f i g u r e s , h o w e v e r , . s pe ak t o t h e
year 1912-13
there were
^ . in stru ction in t h e
• htfyear
In t h e
1 7 2 2 ’s c h o l a r s , r ( * c e i v i n g
colleges o f
^ 9 1 3 * 1 4 this
conrary.
P 'a c ts
Bdfar
number
and
O r i s s a ; in
r o s e t o 2 O6 2 a n d i n
(
6
)
•
I
9 i 4- l 5 i t . w e n t
up to
2 2 2 7 ; that
c o u r s e o f three y e a r s there u h s a
is t o s a y , in t l i e . ‘
rise 293
l>er c e n t
i n t h e n u m b e r of s c h o l a r s in t h e A r t « c o l l e g e s o f t h e
i P r o v i n c e . W e h a v e , t h e r e f o r e , v e r y l i t t le t o s a y a g a
i n s t t h e C a l c u t t a U n i v e r s i t y , s o f ar a s
h i g h e r e d u c H t i o n in t h i s p r o v i n c e ,
is c o n c e r n e d .
been
that
Qur
our
m anagement
only
people
of
its
u n d e r i t s re^ i m e ,
coiii[»lai]U
have
e x p a n s i o n ot*
against
it has^
voice
in t h e
had no
a f f a ir s.
N ext,
we
clanioure
^
1
b o t h tr) ( . j o v e i i i m e n t a n d t o oui' p e o p l e for t h e e s i a b lisliment
of
a
su fficient
number
e q u ip p ed with the n ece ssar y
the h ig hest kind o f
as
Arts,
Etigineering,
Commerce,
institutions
f Hci li t ies f or i m p a r t i n g
education
o f study, such
of
in
all t h e
Science,
branches
M edicine,
tech n ology
Law,
etc.
so
t h a t o u r peo[>le t n i g f i t b e
able to
ta k e their proper^
p a r t in t h e u p l i f t o f t h e i r
country.
N o one.can say
tliat either o f these tw o main and necessary
i n v i e w c a n , e v e n in t l m
least d egree,
be
objects
furthered
b y t h e c h a n g e s ^ ) r o p o s e d in t h e Hill.
Popular Control.
The
■would b e
population
im m ediate
to
of
disenfianchise
com pletely
ih o# U niversity
Province, who alone
In
e f f e c t o f t h e Bi ll, i f
a f fai r s e d u c a t i o n a l .
passed,
the
graduates
entire
in
the
c . ui t a k e a n inte i l i gei ^c i u t e c t s t •
N o native ot
the
Province
►■
(
can
)
h o p e to attain the distinction
of
b e in g at
tlte
h e a d o f t h e U n i v e r s i t y — a [ >rivi! ege w h i c h t h c . s i s t e r
p r o v i n c e s , in oCnn mon w i t h ev^^n o u r o w n
^
province,
liave en jo y e d so lo n g and which the other [)rovinces
will
co n tin u e to en joy to
• / the catise
ol
•
For
iiôt
all.
liie
U niversity
the
first
University,
the
universality
of
which,
very
in
institution
name
of
is.
In
of
persons,
called
t )nl y a n
wouhi
im potent
a
o£
like
a
suggests
sm all
the
organ
re sj )on . si hl e t o n o
vain
type o f sjicha»i
wliich
iiands o f
n o t k i l l i n g U n i v e r s i t y life, It is
j vh a t
annals
w o i l d it is p r o o o s c d t o
o f an
in t h e
too, w ould b e
of
H u t t ii i s is
tJie
life,
vidual, pr.ictically
•
advantage
country.
lim e
e d u c a t i o n in t l ie
e x c l u s i v e body^
•
great
e d u c a t i o n in t h e
v e s t t h e c o n t r o l o f a f ta i r s
and
Syndicate
of one
one.
indi
If this is
d i f f ic u lt t o c o n c e i v e
one
body
look
as
f or a p r o t o
the
proposed
Senate.
^
<
7
E x p a n s io n of E ducation.
•
T h e very
day that the A ct
would
(*i>ine
in*lo
force o n e e d u c a t io n a l in stitu tion c o m n ie m o r a t im r t h e
l o n g life
of
with no
mean
nurtureti an d
a
benevolent
and
p o t e n t i a l i t i e s t or *go od ,
c a r e d for,
* e x i » t e n c e . , Jsioti
com pletely
sovereign
only
would
charged
if^
j.y
l*«? k n o c k e d
are
the
present
disenfranchised
but
liie
operly
out
of
giaduateS
entire
soil o f
(
8
)
B ih a r & Orissa, w ith the ex cep tio n o f th e blessed lim i'
t e d a r e a s in t h e i o w n s o f P a t n a , B h a g a l p o r e , Mu z a f i f e r - *
pore,
H azaribagb
e d as
utifit
m atter
to
and
Cuuack,
give
o f t liat, a n y i n s t i t u t i o n
U niversity
culture,
in vain for a n y
will
Students
Here,
of
now,
g o n e wiifiout
Ihhar
or,
f or
the
f or t h e i m j ' a n i n g o f
again,
p r e c e d e t i t , in a n y
time.
be declar.
birth to a n e w
we
country,
and
look
at
any.
Orissa have,
post-graduate
till
s t u d i e s f o r vvaifs* '
o f p ro v is io n s for th e Sniue e v e n i n t h e few colleges
existing
in
possible
tlie
f or
Course
them
to
They have
province.
as
tn
great
It h a s
take
an
of
the
very
teciuiica)
the
naturally and
■would b e
studies,
Put
■venshaw
careei,
careers
to t h e m .
As
Province a
of
no;
t r a i n i n g f or
not to
speak
commerce
self-contained
liberal
and
provi*sion
o n e , one*
♦
t h a t there
f or
tljese
e v e n tlie f)O te n tiH lily o f the e x is-
o th e r than the
colleges,
does
would
a n ie a su te lUirporting
f or
P atna and
developing
future h a s b een n ip p ed in
th e matter
quite
Honour
they
net unreasonably exp ected
m a d « in it a
tiifg colleges,
■extent i n
the
as
l i a d n o f a c i l i t i p s for h i g h e r
indi isf cry o p e n
to make
not i)een
to e v e n
extent
■a. m e d i c a l o r a n e n g i n e e r i n g
not en d
even
•
to
the
their
tlie b u d .
here.
Even
Ilafull
But
what
w e h a v e i.s, it s e e m s , g o i n g t o be t a k e n a w a y f r o m u s.
N o h i g h e r U n i v e r s i t y e d u c a t i o n will b e i m pc w te d i i m h e -
(
9
)
•
a ll-eiig ro ssln g subject o f L aw . A t lenst
o n e gaihei' .s
f ron i t h e
provisions
s u m u p in a f e w w o r d s ; — T h e
O rissa
have
s o long ;
, a
vast
g»^ne w i t h o t i t
of
t h a t is w h a t
the
Bill.
peojde o f
To
Bihar and
post-graduate
teaching
a f t e r t h e j i a s s i n g o f t h e B i d t he)' , a t l e a s t
m ajority
of
them,
will
go
w ithout
even
u n d e r - g r a d u a t e t e a c h i n g ; to thin k o f th e institution
o f n e w F a c u l t i e s m u s t b e l i k e a c r y f or
‘e v e n th*^ e x i s t i n g m a t e r i a l s f o r a
to
be
rejected
and
t h e moor> if
F a c u l t y o f L a w are
thrown
away.
Conclusion.
The
conclusion
at. after
a
very
that
careful
we
study
irresistibly
arrive
of
ai>d
the
Bi ll
a
e l o s e a n a l y s i s o f its r o n t e n t . s c o n s i d e r e d in t h e l i g h t
of
our
grade
the
r e q u i r e m e n t s , is
measure,
educational
the
BHl
of
the
will
liave
is
be
to
to
be
We
are
for our pro v in ce
its constitution
lutely
sity
.
the
wiiicli
Uie syfêm
value
of
has
as
If
to
tiie
people
wholly
and
com pletejy
entirely
new
Bill
benefit
tiiat o f
controlled
o f higher
Province.
Orissa
be, at least
same
to
and
convinced
will
danger
Bihar
so
an
a h ighly retro
great
o f the
of any
become
it is
with
progress
province
r e c. i s t a s
gelher.
to
that
fraught
that
the
f or t l i e
it
nito-
n o . U niversity
peo[)le
present,
unless
ab.so-
tlTe Calcn^tri, U n i v e r
fi»r n e a r l y
education
in
60
Mjhar
years
jfnd
(
Orissa.
view s
ful
n i en
our
f-iel
vast
in t h e
province
under
for
We
nf the
the
ver
a
lO
sure
that
bulk
whpn
ever
iurlsdiction o f
lo n e r
fied w iih a
are
echoinjr
so
we
state
much
of
the
that
prefer
tiie C a l c u t t a
type
the
t l m u g ’ht-
to
be
U niversity
t i m e to c o m e , ratlier th a n
U niversity
by the Patna
we
o f educated and
Province
would
)
b e . ?iti s-
contemj)lated
U n i v e r s i t y Hill.
T h e c hang es in {he Bill n ecessary to suit
the requirem ents <>f th e Province.
W e , h ow ever, snh-join b elow a few sugoestion.s
w i i i c h , i f adonfcnd b y t h e
som e
extent
narrow
Government,
in i m p r o v i n g
the
Hill
w o n ' I g-o towithin
T h e S e n a te .
•
*
T h e S e n a te must be m ade the body
of
the
very
limits.
Universitv,
cliarged
w itii llie
corporate
fun.cbion o f
m a k i n g p r o i i s i o n for the im p a r tin g o f h ig h e r
edu
c a t i o n in t h e P r o v i n c e a n d it s h o u l d Iv; t h e f inal a n d
s u p r e m e c o n t r o l l i n g a u t h o r i t y in all a f ta i r s
concern
i n g t h e I T n i v e r s i t y , '^nly s u n j e c b in c e n a i n
e a s e s to-
the veto o f the
is t h i s
body
Ch.mcellor or the
whicli
should be
w i t h t l ’. e t a s k o f a d d i n g t o,
G overnm enl.
entru.sted
altering,
It
i*ui onl^-
am ending
or
(
, repealing
the
niakino
II
Regulations
f i rst s e t o f
proval by th e
)
bnt
Ri^^nlations
G overnnient.
o n l e r t o fulfil i t s
n !s o
with
su'>ject t o
'I'honuh a
f u n c t i o n s in
tlvu of
ap
S e n a t e , in
ih^ true s e n s e o f t h e
p te r i n , m u s t b e p a r e x c e l l e m ' e n n e l e c t e d Ih)i1v y e t f or
t h e p r e s e n t at l e a s t 5 0 per cent, o f its s i r e n u l h s l i o u l d
b e ihiwie u p Ijy e l e c t i o n i)v t h e r e g i s t e r e d g r a i l u a t e s
• and t h e
faculties.
It sh ould
here that
the
present
should be
i#*eatefl a s
he distinctly
graduates
registere'J
o f t l ie
noted
Province
g r a d u n t e s if t h e y
c h o o s e to s a t i s f y c e i l a i n c o n d i t i o n s o e n e r a l l y s i i n i l n r
to
those
recommended
by
the
Patna U n iversity
C o m m i t t e e . T h e recj uiremett t .s o f a ^ r o w i n g p r o v i n c e
like onns can not h e a d e n u a t e lv
S e n a t e consi.sts o f a d e c e n t
b egin with, w ith o u t a n y
s ai i .s f ie d u n l e s s t h e .
n u m b er o f m em b e rs to
m axim um
numerical
limit
' so that w h e n n e w Facultie.s are a d d e d , as th e y must,
a n d o u g l u t o b^?, n o
to be
legislative
encoiMitered.
The
a s g i v e n i n t h e Bi ll i s
difficulty m a y h a v e
m inimum
too low and
sh ould be raised to at le a s t 80, o f
be elected, 2o
and the rest
at least by
by the
number o f 40
im utequate.
w h i c l v g o shb\ihl
t l ie r e g i s t e r e d g r a d u a t e s
different
Faculties as m ay
p r o v i d f ' d i c r in t h e R e g u l a t i o n s . ‘ T h e
the
Government
• re iolu tioys o f the
posaible
danger
having the
Senate,
in
U
be
Chan^cellor or
j ^m' e r o f v e t o i n g t h e
there
m a k i n g al l
can
not be
aiTy
r e s o l u t i o n s o f th«>
(
>>enate
binding
‘2
upon th e
)
Syndicate.
It i s a w e l l
r e c o g n i s e d ' p r i n c i p l e t h a t ,.tlie v e r y e x i s t e n c e o f
the
r i g h t o f a p p e a l to a h ig h e r tribunal h as a s t e a d y i n g
influence o v e r t h e deliberations of an inferior b o d y
T h e S y n d ic a te .
'D ie
S y n d ic a te must he
regarded as only the
-e x e c u tiv e b o d y y f the S t n a t e , fully
s u b o r d i n a t e t o it
e le c te d by the
and must be
Senate
and
t h e e x - q ffic )o m e m b e r s .
ceriu-ci,
none
D irector
h ut
of
formed
the
o f meniberH
Faculties, besides
S o f ar a s t h e l a s t a r e c o t r
i,ije
Public
respon.sibfe and
V ice-Ciiancellor
Instiuction
ol
and
tiie
the
P''''*vince
s h o u ld be a llo w e d to h a v e t h e p r iv ile g e o f m e m b e r
ship by m e r e virtue o f
absolutely
their
of fi c e.
T h e r e can b e
n o r e a s o n f or m a k i n g a n
tinction between the
on o n e hand
and
the other, ihouoh
invidious
Principal o f th e P a t n a C o lle g e
those
of the other
C o lleg es on
s o m e o f thes« m a y
be,
t ime.s t o c o m e m u . s t b e , s i t u a t e d w i i l i i n t h e
s i t y a r e a it sel f.
^There
t h e •nomiiiHtion o f a n y
c a n lie
member
b e c a u s e the r e p r e s e n t a t iv e s o f
in g o f a moiety o f
safely
Keljed
dis
non-elected
upon
by
m a t t e r s o f di sci pli iTe a n d in
no
the
m embers
exetulive
a u t h o r i t y s h o u l d b e v e s t e d n o t in t h e
for
Syndicate
Senate
G overnm ent,
all
in
U niver
justification
to
the
and
consist*
m i g h t be
In
al l
m atters
Vice*chanctl*
[
f /
jor
alone
but
in
13
the
)
Vice-chanceHpr
and
the-
S y n d ic a t e conjointly.
T h e C h a n c e llo r.
T h e power
*
'an y
given
to
enq uiry into an y
the
C hancellor o f holding
matter
connected
with
U n i v e r s i t y , in a n y m a n n e r h e c h o o s e s - s a y ,
the
CT. I. D - a n d
dism issing
to pass a n y
ordets
he
in definite
period-after
closing
consulting
o n l y t h e S y n d i c a t e a n d , it m a y t>e, w i t h o u t
*
through
likes-say,
a professor, ex p ellin g a F ello w ,
a c o lleg e for an
the
in g tlie S e n a t e a n d Inspite o f its p rotest,
con . snl t -
a p p e a r s to
b e n o t Only v e r y e x t e n s i v e b u t p o s i t i v e l y d a n g e r o u s
It
is
unprecedented
in t h e
a d m in ist r a t io n in I n d ia a n d
w ith the
dignity
of a
annals
absoluteiy
U niversity.
âdministration o f the P rovince
advantage o f being
of
U niversity
inconsistent
In m a tt e r s
of
the people h a v e the
ruled by the
Lieutenant
Gov
ernor in C o u n cil, a lt h o u g h the L i e u t e n a n t G o v e r n o r
must
*
alw ays
himself,
but
be
under
an
this
experienced
provision
g r e a te st m o m e n t relating to th e
decided
.V
by the
t h e S e n a t e . or
he
not
may
■ educational
possess
problems.
the
m atters o f the
U n i v e r s i t y , mj t y b e
C hancellor w ithou t
of either
administrator
the
Syndicate,
experience
assistance
although
o f •im portant
(
H
)
T h e Vice-Chancf
lior•
So
\
Trir. HS o n e
Vice-chancellor
coulil jrather
al l o v e r
the
tlie pcsb
U niversities
w o r l d is a c o v e t e d ^ i f t in t h e h a n d s
sitv to a d istin ei'ish ed individual
altaininents,
who
thinks
it
hiihevlo
o f the
o f the U n iv e r -
o f rank an d h ig h
his
hi^liest
a ccep t the g ift w ithout an y idea of
N ocaSf^'has
of the ^
d u ty to
p ecuniary gain.
been known
and
none has
b e e n p o i n t e d o u t in w h i c h a n o n - o f f i c i a i a n d h o n o r a
ry V i c e - c h a n c e l l o r
has
iêen a
f a i l u re , a t l e a s t
I n d i a . I'ho a i n o u n t o f m o n e y w h i c h
entlv
s p e n t in
renwin eratino
may b econ ven i-
ihe V ice-C h an u ellof
will fail t o a t t r a c t a r e a l l y
com petent man
com p a re favourably
w ith
an
honorary
M oreover,
all
am ounts
o f th e office.
h o w e v e r sm all, s o
b e s e r v e d with
money
taken
s p e n t f or a
no less
away
n e c e ssa r j ’ u se sucli
purpose
w h o can
in cvim bent
of
money
which
e f f i c i e n c y w il l h e s o
from
as the
in
more
much
J,egitimafe
starling
can
and
a n d equipmetij.
o f n ew institutions and the o p en in g o f n ew
Faculties
Th»j p o s t o f a V i t e —C h a n c c i l e r
too digni
should he
fied a n d rafsed a b o v e t l m s e o f o t h e r
officrrs
c f the
U n i v e r s i t y , a n d n e x t o n l y to tliat o f t h e C lian ce llor , to
c o m b i n e in
(.olleges.*No
itself
the
doubt
function
the
o f an I n s p e c t o r q 1
'Vîee-Chancelior
m aybe
aijd s h o u l d b e e m p o w e r e d t o v i s i t a n y i n s t i t u t i o n ] i e
likes kut ih e
1^ —
ordiijnry
work of
e iU iiisied to H
distifjct
officer
Syndicate and
assislen
from
inspection m ust be
sul)ordinHie
t i m e to
to t h e
titne
in t h e
discltarê o f his d u ties by tlie h e a d s or p rofessor s o f
t h e v a r i o u s i n . s t it u t i o n s o r o t h e r d i s t i n g u i s h c d i)crs<nis^
A
1^ .
province
endowed
with an
^ and a H igii Court and
•
have occupied and
^
are
Executive
Connci
coi ifc,i ini ng
p ersoiiaoes who
occupying
very re'pr)nsible
pt)sili*nis in t h e c o u n t r y , c a n h e e x p e c t e d t o p r o d u c e
♦ s u i t a b l e p e r s o n s t o hil t i i e p o s t o f a V i c e ' C h a u c e l l o r *
No
justification
c a n l)ft
i n i < le
for
d e p r iv ii\^ this
p r o v i n c e o f t h e p r i v i l e g e o f s o m e o n e o f its c l u l d r e n
* *
o c c u p y i n g s u c h an a c a d c n u c
position of dignity and
h o n o u r w h i c h , a t l e a s t in t h e o r y ,
it h a s b e e n e n j o y
i n g till n o w .
E x t e r n a l Colleges
—
I f the
Pat na
U niversity
, p r o v id e for an m ld itio n a l
.proposed
Bengal,
Dacca
ihp
Bill was
U niversity,
U niversity
creation
of
in
m ean t to
just
the
exclusive
like the
province of
U niversity
k
t o w n s a n d a re a s to en joy the alasure and p r iv ileg e of
■
U n i v e r s i t y life m i g h t h a v e
p r o v i n c e with no
surfeit
th e povision of confining
\
nstitutions
J
places
to o n l y a
s u i t a b l e f or
som e
oi e d u c a t i o n a l
histitii^jons
t h e e.stablishment
very
them,
iweaiiing. Hut jn a
fevv
ont
can only b e
of new
o f numerous
de. 5<'ribed a
{
highly
disastrous.
h o w som e of our
3 0 0 0 students,
i6
I t is
towns
Arrah
)
needless to
like
dem onstrate
Chapra
with o v e r
with 2 5 0 0 to
2000 students and
G a y a with about 2000 students receiv in g instruction
in t h e l o c a l s c h o o l s o n l y
(excluding those w h o
are^
s t u d y i n g in the s c h o o l s situ ated in tlie interior o f the
D i s t r i c t s ) a r e r i p e f or t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t o f n e w « c o l I e g e s w h i c h c a n b e f il l e d u p i n a v e r y s h o r t t i m e .
The*
esta b lish m en t o f institutions nearer th e h o m e s o f sto*
d e n t s is u r g e n t ly
dei, Tianded b y
of our eligible students can
o f U niversity
residence
t o fall a p r e y
t h e y are e x p o s e d in
W e
a f for d t h e c o s t l y l i v i n g
e d u c a t io n in a d istant t o w n a n d a ls o
b y t h e t ac t t h a t b y
less apt
the fact that so lew
distinctly
t tear
to t h e
home
t h e y are
tem p ta tio n s to w h ic h
strange places.
r e m e m b e r th a t in the y e a r
ig O i
,
w h e n t h e U n i v e r s iti e s A c t was on the anvil o i w o f the
points
urged
by
Government
ofiici<tls
aga in st th e m ultiplication of colleges
o n tjie g r o u n d
t l v i t t h i s rru’g h t
lead
at
t'he s a m e p l a c e .
put
that
forward
in
that
on e centre
to
rivalry a m d u - d ie different institutions
was
unhealthy
situated
at
Y e t that is w h a t h as b een s e r io u s ly
the
w e ^ gree with
Patna
the
m e n t o f f i c i a l s i n 190*4,
fact o n l y t o s h o w h o w
U niversity
opinion
We
have
soon the
B i ll .
held by
referred
opinion
Not
Govern
of
to
this
•
educfi*
*
tional
(
17
experts changas
but
s u r v i v e s for y e t h l o n g
•
the policy based
lim e after the ch a n g e
as
confident
that
present
opinion
U n i v e r s i t y Bi ll w i l l
p l a c e to y e t a t h i r d
feel
tiie
one
in
less
than a
couple
o n e is as erroneous* as
convinced,
.therefore, that
e d u c a t i o n in t h e P r o v i n c e
restrictions on t h e
it m u . U
if
establishm ent of
e v e r at»<! v v h e r e y e r t h e y m a y
as a
natural
m u st not
loping
.the
result
also
to its
ândar4
of
of
the
other.
Patna
Scientific, a n d s
not
be
leaching
is
A loud
against
Every
cry
Arts
the
t e a c h i n g in t h e
U niversity,
fail
to
liighest
for H o n o u r s
course,
researches
been
both
H igher
in
education
if
higher
fevV c o l l e g e s .
r a i s e d in C a l c u t t a
of
p ost— graduate
t h o u g h a s y e t it i s o n l y
personage than the
understaud
it
deve
the
' p a f o f th(? P r e s i d e n c y C o l l e g e , C a l c u t t a .
fore
and
to
concentration
• partial a n d b y no less a
existence
from
adequately
already
when
has gob
m o n o p o lise d by only a
has
any
college
subjects.
diffused
im pose
supply
teaching
and
o f higher
into
institution
available, providing
post-grad uate, studies
can
any
extent.
right
com e
ol
the
colleges
dem and and
prevent
full
inherent
not
em .
surely g iv g
U n i v e r s i r y is m e a n t t o a d v a n : e t h e c a u s e
)
to the
quite
d e c a d e s for tho
L
it
W e are
W e
I
on
g r e a t d e t r i m e n t t o t h e c a u s e ’o f e d u c a o t i o n .
' b o d i e d in t h e P a t n a
/
)
why
in
a
Princi.
W e there
backward
(
i8
)
province like B ih a r and O rissa w h e re H o n o u r s and
post
graduate
w holly at a
studies
have
so
long been
alm ost
discount, on ly t w o colleges, the
C ollege and the R aven shaw
OWed t o e n j o y
the
Patna
C ollege should be
exclusive
al-
p r i v i l e g e o f g ivi » »g
i n s t r u c t t o u in h i g h e r S c i e n c e , a n d
Honour's, ^not to
s p e a k o f p o s t - g r a d u a t e s t u d i e s , w h i c h a r e c o n f i n e d t( \
th e P a t n a C o lle g e . All restrictions, therefore, s o u g h t
to be
im posed
than the tw o
itpon
the
existing
fortunate ones
also upon tho se which m a y
college.s,^ o t h e r
ai)ove-m entioned. and
spring up
in
f u t u r e , in
^he m a t t e r o f h i g h e r t e a c h i n g m u s t b e e n t i r e l y
done
a w a y with.
W e
f i nd
D iam ond
it
difficult
to
Jubilee C ollege
at
b e e n in e x i s t e n c e f o r a b o u t
eluded
from
the
understand
Monghyr
why
the
which
has
20 years should be
U niversity.
I f ‘t h e
ex.*
in sî t ut io t fT
t
“ u n d e r p r i v a t e m a n a g e m e n t w a s a s in hl l a n d
o n e the G o v e r n m e n t should h a v e
T he.St.
more
C p l u i n b c ’s
than
60
C ollege at
students
g i v i n g it a m o n t h l y
could
have
been
done
death
began
The
in t h e c a s e o f t h i s
and
help.
h a d not
Government
Rs. 1000.
t a n y r a t e , it doe^'i n o t d e s e r v e
îon.
c o m e to its
Hazaribagh
when
grant of
weak’
same
college.
extine-
I t w o u ld b e a w r o n g policy, in d e e d * to a l l o w ■
gr r a t h g r force ftu ejtistent tllQil
g
(
>9
)
p r o v in c e wh e re m o r e in stitutions a r e a«id will be
u r g e n t l y required.
h e F a c u l t y of L a w .
W h e n all tlie old Uni versities of In d ia a n d also the
new, Be na res U n i v e r s i t y h a v e their respective L a w
Fa c u lt y it is difficnU t o understand^why th e P a t n a
L a w College, which was estab lish ed by G o v e r n m e n t
so late as th e y e a r
to m eet a cryin g need of the
19 1 0
province should not be included«in th e University.
T l \ e stu dy of L a w
is V9ry popular a n d necessray.
W e therefore, in.sisf
that the P a t n a L a w College
should be recognised as an ifidependeiit institution
in the Unive rsi ty a nd t h a t
tinct Fa c u lt y o f Law.
ther e
should be a d i s
’A ffilia tion a n d D is a ffilia tio n of Colleges-
“ One
the
Bill,
t io n,
of th f
m a n y d a n g e ro u s
provisions
t h a t can not es cape o u r special
is that
relating
atien
to the affiliation a n d
affiliation of colleges.
in
dis
W h i l e for tlie affiliaiiou* of
a college th e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s o f the S y nd ic at e a nd
he
Sen a te
and
Government
I disaffiliated
Im ^v
r
are
by
the
required,
the
the*
of
th e
Loca
same , ryay
Local G o v e r n m e n t
be, * inspite o f th e
....................
s a nc ti on
protest of on e
be
alone,
or
bofh
( 20
affiliation-m ust
the
be
sanctioned
recom niendation
Syndicate
only
)
by
the
Senate
o f a n d after report
subject
to
the
from thr'
approval
of
thj
(governm ent.
T h e U n iv e r s ity StaffThe
appoin tm ent o f the
amattero f
jwe-eniinent
made
the Senate, the
by
for
the
the
power
purpose.
v ersity then
would
im portance.
only
the S e n a te
o f fraifiinsf t h e
appointm ents
controlling
If
U n iv e r s ity staff
It
must be
body
com petent
does
n o t po.ssess
Regulations,
m aking
^
t o tl i e U n i v e r s i t y S t a f f a n d g e n e r a l l )
and supervising the
the
m e e tin g s of
be o n ly e x p e n s iv e
affairs o f th e U n i .
the
Senate,
i f any^
but u s e le s s lu xuries.
F a c u ltie s of M edicine, E n g in e e r in g & C om m e rc e
It m a y not be
out of
place
to
m ention
liere^
t h a t a l t h o u g h t h e Bi ll is c o m p l e t e l y s i l e n t a l ^ ^ ut ^ ti i e
F aculties o f M edicine, E n g in eerin g and
.
Commerce
w e s t r o n g l y r e c o m m e n d t h e i r i n c l u s i o n in it, a s a l s o
the desirability o f e s ta b lish in g M edical, E n g in e e r in g
a n d C o m m e r c i a l C o l l e g e s as a natural c o n s e q u e n c e .
PURNENDU N
a
R AYAN
SiXHA,
Ba^K^porr.
The I^tk Nov.
S.
W
as
I A
G
a n e sh
D
B
a idya
R
a jen d r a
N
h m a d
u tt
ath
,
S
in g h
N
arayan
,
* SiNHA,
P
rasad
.
'
t
^
PRINTED
BY
Beai Madhav Prisad,
B. PRESS,
b ankipore.
4
I
NOTICE
^ lie special session o f the Bihar Provincial C on
ference to consider the Patna U n iversity
held in
the
com pannd o f D iinda
Bakerganj, B>tnkipore, on S u n d a y ,th e
J 9 r6 , a t
the
-â n e
11
at
2 5 th
7 P. m.
2 6 th
T e m i^
o f November,*
afternoon
e v e n in g of tiie
of*the
2 6 th
Novem ber,
1916,
a t the
A rrangem ents have been made
to nccommi)da(e delegates
the
Singh's
Jt. M. T he Subjects C om m ittee will meet on
evening o f the
place
B ill w ill b e
25th
in
tents and houses finm
N ovem ber,
1916
to
tlm
Novem ber.
RAJENBRA
PRASAD,
Joint Secretary,
Jii/iar P rovin cial Association,
bankiporp :.
•
3n>.s
Behar P i’0vi7iaial A sso cia th n Tracts.
--------------------------------------------------
T H E PA TN A UNIVERSITY BILL^
IV
•
R E P O R T
OF THE
S P E C IA L SESSION 'OF T H E
BEHAR
P R O V IN C IA L
CONFERENCE
H E L B A T BANKIPOHE.
ON
The 2 6 th DIouember, 1916,
PUBLISHED BY
^
•
EA JB N D R A PRA SA D
.
•!®
• ^
Jo in t Secretary,
B E H A R PROVINCIAL ASSOCUTION,
B A N K IP O B B . -
i.
&
g
CONTENTS.
PA G E .
1.
A ddress o f th e C hairm an o f th e R ecep tio n
✓
C om m ittee.
...
...
...
2.
PresidcntiaTÂddress ...
...
...*
3.
R e so lu tio n s
...
...
37
4.
A p p e n d i x A .— *
...
65
...
T ex t o f R e so lu tio n s
U n iv e r s ity B ill
5.
on
th e
...
...
3
«
P a tn a
APPENDIX B.—
O pinions o f Sir G urudas B an erjea, Kt. and
■ th e H o n ’ble Mr. R . P. P aranjane
APPENDIX C.—
6.
•
Extracts*from proceedings o f som e o f the
♦
•
m eetin g s h eld in th e M ufassil
7.
81
APPENDIX D.-%
•
• '
D eleg a tes' LiSC
k.
...
...
...
92
FOREWORD.
T h e F o u rth P am p h let o f th e Bohai; P r o v in cia l
^ A s s o c ia t io n
T racts series co n ta in s a report o f th e
proceedings o f th e S p ecial S essio n o f th e B ohar P ro
•
v in c ia l C on feren ce held to consider t h e ^ a t n a U n iv ers ity B ill.
T he a tte n tio n o f the reader is in v ited to the
v e ry illu m in a tin g and ex h a u stiv e c r itic ism o f th e B ill
by th e P re sid e n t th e H o n ’ble R ai 'B ah ad u r Purnondu
N a r a y a n S in h a .
On b eh alf o f th e A sso c ia tio n , d is
tin g u ish ed e d u c a tio n ists had been in v ited to exp ress
th eir o p in io n on th e B ill and th e A sso c ia tio n ta k es
th e lib erty o f in c lu d in g in th is report th e op in io n s of
tw o illu str io u s g e n tle m e n , lik e Sir G ooroodas B anerjoe
• and th e H o n ’blo P rin cip a l R. P . P aran jape.
P a m p h let
I t is hoped
w ill receive' th e g en ero u s a tten
tio n o f th e reader a s ex p ressin g the consid ered op inion
o f th e ed u cated m id dle c la sse s o f the P r o v in c e on the
m o m en to u s iss u e s in vo lv ed in B ill.
^
,
, T he 23rd Decem ber,^
>
t
1916.
*
^
R A JE N D R A PR A SA D ,
r • ^ r.
JoiiU Secretary,
J The B ehar P ro v in cia l As*sotiation.
REPO RT
OF
THE
EX TRA O RD IN A RY SESSION
OF THE
B E H A R PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE
H E L D AT BA N K IPO RE
On the 26th Nov. 1016
I n p u rsu a n ce o f a resolution, adopted a t a
m eetin g o f th e B eh a r P rovin cial A sso cia tio n , h eld on
th e 29th O ctober, 1916, a sp ecia l sessio n o f th e B eh ar
, P rovin cial C on ference w as conven ed on th e 26th
1916, for th e purpose o f co n sid erin g th o
provisions o f th e P a tn a U n iv ersity B ill. In order to
focu s public o p in io n on th e variou s poin ts raised in
the B ill, it h ad a lso been decided at th e sam e m eetin g
o f th e A sso c ia tio n th a t tracts, d ea lin g w ith thp vario\^h
a sp ects o f the B ill, should be printed and d istributed.
A C om m ittee, c o n sistin g o f th e H o n ’ble R a i B ahadur
^ Purnendu N a r a y a n Sinha, M . A ., B. L ., Mr. S y ed W a si
A hm ad, B a r-a t-la w , Babu G an esh T)utt S in h a,*B . A .,
L., B abu B a id y a n a th N a rayan 5 in h a , M. A ., M . L.,
and Babu feajendra Prasad, M. A., M . I/., had also boen ^
forniGd t 6 prepare and circulate a n ote on. th e BiL.
B efore th e actu al sessio n o f th e S p ecial C on
ference, m e e tin g s w ere held all over th e P ro v in ce and
reso lu tio n s, con dem nin g the provision s o f th e B ill <
w ere passed and d eleg a tes to the Confei’en ce electecli i
E x tra cts from th e proceedings o f som e o f the m ore ^
im portant o f th ese m eetin gs are g iv en in the A ppendix. I
#
I
T he Su bjects C om m ittee m et on the n ig h t of th e
25th N ovem ber, 1916, and a large num ber o f delegates,. *
rep resen tin g a lm o st all the d istricts, w h o h ad a lread y
arrived, took part in its deliberations.
On th e 26th N ovem ber, 1916, th e C onference w a s
held in a s p e c ia lly erected pandal in th e com pound o f '
D u n d a S in g h ’s tem ple, B akerganj. L o n g before the
hour fixed for th e com m encem en t o f th e proceedings
th e pandal w a s filled to its u tm ost ca p a city . In fact,
a large num ber of g en tlem en had to be provided w ith
se a ts o u tsid e th e pand al. The lis t o f d e le g a tes (g iv en
in A ppendix D ) w ill in dicate h ow all c la sse s end c o m ^
m u n ities m u stered on th e occasion . A m o n g th e m ore
prom inent d eleg a tes, w o m ay m en tion the n a m e s of
.th e H o n ’ble Mr. M azharul H aq ue, th e H o n ’ble R ai
Bahadub K rish n a Sahay, Mr. S. S in h a, Bar-at-Iaw ,
Mr. W a si A hm ad, B ar-at-law , tho H o n ’ble M oulvi
N ooru l H a sa n , th e H o n ’blc R ai B ah ad u r P w ark an ath ,
R a i ^Sahab N a i'cy a n Prasad, R ai B ahadur G opi
K rishn", K han B ahadur Nav.âb Sarfaraz H u ssan
\
K han, R ai Sahab Jan ak d h ari L ai, Babu Jayk rish n a,
Banker, Babu N an d k isb ore L ai, M. A., B. L., Babu
B rajakishoi -0 Prasad, M. A .. B. L., Babu J a gan n ath
Prasad, M . A., B . L., and Babu K alipado G hosh, M. A.,
^ B .L .
*
T he H o n ’blo
R ai
B ahadur P urnendu N a ra y an
S in h a arrived a fe w m in u tes before 11 A. M. Babu
NandkTahore L a i, th e P resid en t o f th ^ B eh ar P ro
vin cial A sso c ia tio n , opened th e proceedings w ith th e
I follow in g
ADDRESS OF WELCOliIE
«
G entlem en,
1
A s P resid en t o f th e B ihar P rovin cial A sso cia tion
w h ich is th e e x e c u tiv e body o f your C onference it is
m y p leasin g and agreeab le d u ty to accord to you a very
w arm and cordial w elcom e. Y ou have m et togeth er
to -d a y in la rg e num b ers to discuss, deliberate upon and
^ u r c o n v ic tio n s on perhaps th e m ost m om ent|o u s m easure aiifecting for better or w orse the future
d estin ies o f our P ro v in ce. I t ia not surprising thereI fore that th o u g h th is extra-ordin.ary sessip n o f th e Con- ^
• fercnce h a s had to be convened a t very short« notice*
and in the m idst o f w orking days, for w an t o f a n y
holidays^ you h a v e m ustered in force at considerable
in c o n v e n ie n c e from alm ost every district o f the four
*"jeat d ivision s o f B ihar. I fear m an y o f y o u V i l l b e
Dut to discom fort for w a n t o f better arrangem ents, but
( 4 )
I am sure, you w ill ch eerfu lly su b m it to it, in consider
a tio n o f th e great issu e s at sta k e, and for a full con si
deration o f w h ic h your ex ecu tiv e h a v e fe lt ju stified in
h old in g th is session . T hat edu cated and thoughtful
p erson s in th e P rovince should h ave m ustered strong,
m a k in g som e sacrifice, is as m u ch creditable to th ^
grow in g public life o f Bihar, in sp ite o f m a n y adverse
circu m sta n ces, as to the strength o f fe e lin g evoked by
th e P a tn a U n iv e r sity B ill. H a v in g k n ow n the public
life o f th e P rovin ce for now n ea rly a third o f a c e n tu fy
I u n h e sita tin g ly declare th a t n ever w a s B ihar m ore
d eep ly stirred, m are k een ly roused and m ore profoundly ^
v ig ila n t o f its future d estin ies th an under th e stre ss of
circu m sta n ces cu lm in a tin g in th e B ill for a proposed
U n iv e r sity for our P rovince. A nd, th e reason is nofc|
far to seek , for there ca n be no tw o o p in io n s th a t the"
advan cem en t and progress o f our people m a in ly dep
end upon th e exten sion o f edu cation , p a rticu larly—
circu m stan ced a s w e are—h igher ed u cation . U o w it
is th is h igh er education, th e ex ten sio n o f w h ich
m a teria lly th reaten ed by th e Bill^ in tr o d u cs^ J l^ ^ h e'
E d u ca tio n M em ber in the Im perial L e g is la tiv e Counci
under th e g u is e o f “ im p rovin g" higher ed u cation
im p ro v in g w ith in inverted com m as. A n experiraen
’ is s o u j^ t to be tried In our P rovince, w h ich i f allow ed
to be perform ed, w ill perhaps be repeated in otherj
In d ia n P ro v in ces for w h ic h U n iv ersities are b e in g pro
p osed a t presentând w ho know s th a t in future ev en th «
o id -estab lish ed un iversities m a y n o t be rem odelled
and a ssim ila ted ft) the ty p e o f the U n iv ersity proposed fo
( 5 )
h s sturdy lo y a l people o f Behar, evid en tly under th e im
pression th a t our lo y a lty can stand an y strain. A w ell
inform ed S im la Correspondent of th e ‘ L eader ’ of
i A llahabad h a s p a rtia lly lifted th e veil in th e colum ns
^ôf th a t in flu en tia l paper and as h is sta tem en ts h a v e
nht b een ch a llen g ed or denied, w e are bound to accept
^h is version, w h ic h also to som e exten t is borne o u t by
* th e s p ^ c h o f th e H o n ’ble Sir C. Sankaran N a ir
I h im self. The sp e e c h o f the H on ’ble E d ucation M em
ber and ex tra cts from the ‘ L ea d er's' Sim la oorrospon, d en t’s letter h a v e b een reported in the p am phlet issu ed
* and circulated b y th e B ehar P ro v ih cia l A sso cia tio n ,
and I h ave no doubt you h ave already gon e through
them . I t n ow rem a in s for u s to sa tisfy th e G overn^ m ent of th e stren g th o f con viction on th e sub ject by
recording our v ie w s in term s so uneq uivocal as to lea ve
no room for th e s lig h te st doubt th a t th e educated c la sses
in B ihar are a t one to a m an, th a t th e y w ill n ot accept
the proposed U n iv e r sity , and th a t th e y w ill n ot allow
th e P rovince to be m ade the dum ping ground o f retro■ ^ gr^ e e x p er im e n tsfa education b y the fad d ists and reac, tionariea. (Heai^ h ear 1). I trust that th e resolu tion s you
I w ill pass w ill be co u ch ed in term s w h ich , w h ile retain ing
j a ll th e elem en ts o f s u a v ity w h ich should ch a r a c te r ise,
1 tho^^roceedings o f a g a th erin g o f cultured geritlem en'
I w ill em body your v ie w s in th e p la in est o f th e plain
L la n g u a g e—w ithout a n y equ ivocation or m ental reserff vation. Our lo y a lty b ein g above the le a s t trace o f sus^ J n cion , w e should ex ercise on th is ojjcasion our birth■ righ t as H is B ritannic M a jesty ’s subjects to th in k our
I
( 6 )
J
thou ghts aloud, to sp eak out w h at w e feel in our h eart \
of hearts, undeterred by any fears or frow ns of H is
M a jesty ’s servan ts in th is country and w h o lly u n sw a y
ed by a n y in flu en ce o f the so-called “ m oral s u a s io n ”
w h ich I understand h a s been attem pted to be brought i
to boar on m a n y o f our lead ing c itizen s, by th e h ead ^
of th e D epartm en t o f education in. th is P rovince. G en
tlem en , I h a v e no desire to tresp a ss upon th e g r o u n d
reserved for tHe P resid en t by d iscu ssin g th e provision^
of the P a tn a U n iv e r sity B ill or o f th e so -ca lled “ prin
cip les ” u n d erly in g it. T hat task , I h a v e n o doubt, w ill
be fitly perform ed by the H o n ’ble R a i Purnendu
R a ra y a n S in h a Bahadur, w hom your A sso c ia tio n h ave
elected to preside over your deliberations. B u t I th in k
I sh a ll be w a n tin g in m y d u ty if I did n ot d ecla re m y
co n v ictio n th a t in offering u s th e U n iv e r sity c o n te m
plated b y the B ill, th o se responsible for th e m easure
ask u s to accep t the proverbial ston e in p lace o f bread.
I am and h ave been a ll m y life a stau n ch ad v o ca te of
a self-co n ta in ed P rovin ce of B ihar, but th is does not *
and ca n not m ean th a t w e sh all be con ten t
th in g le ss th an w h a t w e h ave enjoyed a s our vested
right. J u st as w o could not th in k o f a c c e p tin g less in ^
pur ex ecu tiv e adm inistration th an a L ieu ten an t-G over- /
rtorship 'in C ouncil, and a Board o f R ev en u e andîn ^
our J u d icia l A d m in istra tio n th an a Chartered H igh
Court, sim ila rly , w e are not prepared to a ccep t for our
E d u ca tio n a l A dm in istration a n y th in g le s s th an th e ^
typ e o f U n iv e r sity represented by th a t of C alcutt!
under th e g u id an ce o f w h ich we h a v e been brought up
( 7 )
*^for n ow s ix ty years. In fa ct our aim is to h a v e a
U n iv e r sity o f even a better typ e th a n th a t o f C alcutta
w ith even a larger m easu e o f popular rep resentation
and popular con tro l. B u t in p lace o f th a t w e are
i offered one w h ic h d oes not p o ssess the le a st trace o f a
Iiopular in stitu tio n and w h ich w ould be n o th in g better
th an a departm ent o f State. Is it th en to be w ondered
a t thatj the B ill h a s been condem ned sin ce its in tro
duction b y a ll th e lea d in g In d ian papor% and jou rn als
w ith a u n a n im ity o n e does n ot a lw a y s com e across in
th is country ? N o t o n ly h ave th e In d ia n P ress d en ou n
ced th e m easu re b u t som e o f th e lea d in g A n g lo -In d ian
papers n otab ly th a t a t presen t b est con du cted o f th em ,
th e Times o f I n d ia o f Bom bay, h a v e tak en stron g
’ ex cep tion to th e p rin cip les and provisions o f th e B ill.
T he m om ent th e B ill w a s introduced in the C ouncil,
non-ofhcial m em b er after m em ber— represen tin g v a ri
ou s provinces o th er th an our ow n —rose to strik e a
n ote of protest a g a in s t th e proposed U n iv e r sity and it
*w as no doubt an ir o n y o f fate th a t th e o n ly tw o
rnVmtlers- w ho th e u g h t fit to w elco m e su ch a B ill w ere
th o se rep resen tin g B ih a r and O rissa. I desire to sp eak
I o f our rep resen ta tiv es in C ouncil w ith all the resp ect
due to th eir p o sitio n , for th e y are ^t p resen t like
.^ B j u tu s “ all h o n ou rab le ” m en, but I sh a ll be* w a n tin g
I ii^ h y d u ty if I co n cea led from y o u m y v ie w th at th e
declaration o f th ese tw o g en tlem en — o f th e one th a t
th e proposed U n iv e r s ity w ould be .th e cop e-ston e on
rtiG edifice o f th e R o y a l P rovin ce and th e other tlia t h e
w as not prepared to c a ll it retrograde, h ave placed us
ro
•
•
•
( 8 )
in a rather fa ls e p osition and w ill co n tin u e to jeop ar'
d ise the p fo sp ects o f the su ccess o f our a g ita tio n u n le ss
th e y d irectly or in d irectly repudiate or ex p lain a w a y
th e ir form er sta tem en ts. I hope th e y w ill do so, a s t h e
r esu lt o f th a t g r e a t volum e of public opinion w h ic h h a s
b een su rg in g th rough th e province ever sin ce th e in t r o - , '
d u ction o f th e B ill and w h ich is g o in g to be focu ssed
an d g iv en ex p ression to in term s u n m ista k a b le in th e
re so lu tio n s to be recorded a t our C onference to d a y . .
L e t no o n e venture to sa y hereafter th a t B ih ar regard s
th e proposed U n iv e r sity as a cope-ston e or a s a n on retrograde in stitu tio n , and w hoever wiU do so h erea fter
w ill do so a t h is peril.
E L E C T IO N OF P R E S ID E N T .
I t but rem ain s for mo to offer you on ce a g a in a
cord ial w elco m e, to ap ologise for o u r s h o r t-c o m in g s in
th e arra n g em en ts for your reception and co m fo rts and
to fo rm a lly propose th e nam e o f your P resid en t. Y o u r
P r e sid e n t-e le c t n eed s no introd uction in te r m s o f co m m en d a tio n in a n y gath erin g o f educated olas^Ssp' i »
B ih ar, for h is w ork and w orth are well-Jcnown to a ll.
H is retu rn to th e P ro v in cia l L e g isla tiv e C oun cil b y th e
M u n icip a l Boards o f the P a tn a D iv isio n and h is accep taifce o f th e P resid en tsh ip o f th is C on feren ce w ill,
fe e l su re, in au gu rate a now era o f fr ie n d lin e ss and c<i^
op eratio n in our p u b lic affairs betw een th e B e h a r e e s and
th e iB en g a lees resid en t in our P ro v in ce. A.t th e pre
se n t junttture h is o ccu p y in g the chair w ill b e a g u a ra n
tee th a t th e proceed ings o f th is C onference w ill be con -
*
1
'1
( 9 )
' ducted w ith m oderation and sob riety even from [the
stan d p oin t of th e G overnm ent. For n ea rly a quarter
o f a cen tu ry R a i P urnendu N a rayan Sinha^was a G o
vern m en t P le a d e r o f P a tn a in co n sta n t in terco u rse
w ith th e officials, and if even he, in sp ite o f su ch 'close
a sso cia tio n w ith th em , h as seen h is w a y to c a st in h is
lo t w ith u s in th is m atter, it is proof c o n c lu siv e as
m u ch t« h is stu rd y independence w h ic h h a s refu sed to
be crushed by th e official hierarchy as to th e ju stic e o f
our cau se— th e c a u se o f our ed u cation al a d v a n cem en t
w h ich w e h a v e a ll so strongly at heart. W ith th e se
w ords I propose th e R a i Bahadur’s e le c tio n a s th e P re
sid e n t o f th is C o n feren ce.
(Applause).
K han B ah adu r Sarfaraz H ussain K han seconded
th e proposal and in d oin g so spoke as f o llo w s :—
Mr. C hairm an and gentlem en, y o u all kn ow th e
H on. R . B. P urn en d u N a r a ln S in h a . T hou gh b y birth
he is a resid en t o f another province, b y h is in c lin a *tions, h is sy m p a th ie s and the lon g p u b lic se r v ic e s he
ha*S r e v e r e d to y e u r province, he is en titled to be con
sidered in all p ra ctica l sen se an o u t and o u t B eh a ree
8 0 m u ch so, th a t th e M unicipal C om m issioners o f th e
P a tn a D iv isio n o w in g to h is cap a b ilities, h is publi c
ks and h is d ev o tio n to th e ca u se o f B ihar, c o n sie75S it fit to sen d h im as th eir rep resen ta tiv e to th e
L o ca l P r o v in c ia l C ouncil. Babu P u rnend u N a r a in
S in h a w a s ed u cated in Behar, h a s ,m a d e B ih a r h i s
borne and h is life -lo n g priblic services ihave bfeen con1fined to you r p rovince. I t w a s for tSese rea so n s th a t
’
•
/
J
•
< 10 )
h e w as se le c te d for the P resid en tsh ip o f th is sp ecia l
B ihar P ro v in cia l C onference and now it is m y p lea
sa n t d u ty to fo rm ally second the resolu tion so ably
m oved by m y friend B. N and kish ore L all,
T he H on’ble B a i Bahadur Purnendu N a ra in S in h a
•was th en fo rm a lly elected P resid ent and on b ein g
garlanded by Babu N andkishore L a ll am id st ch eers
d elivered th e fo llo w in g
^
P R E S ID E N T IA L ADD RESS
B rother D eleg a tes,
W e h a v e m et here to-d ay under th e str ess of a
p ain fu l sen se o f d u ty and respon sib ility and h a v e been
a lm o st forced to c a ll th is extraordinary se ssio n o f the
B ihar P ro v in cia l C oiifercnce. A t a tim e w h en , w ith
th e proverbial stu rd y lo y a lty o f Bihar, w e are v ery
a n x io u s ly fo llo w in g from d ay to d ay th e r e su lts of
th e epoch-m ak ing w ar, w hen th e im a g in a tio n o f our
people is ru nn ing into v isio n s o f glorious victoriss. anjj
is b uild in g c a stle s o f gold am ong its after-effect.s, the
P a tn a U n iv e r sity B ill h as come as a veritab le bomb
upon u s and g iv en a rude sh ock to our cherished
fe e lin g s and aspirations. (H ear, hear).
»
T h at th e B ill is a m arked departure from
avow ed ed u cation al p o lic y o f our G overnm ent and
th a t m a n y o f its prgvision s are in th e la n g u a g e o f an
em in eift A n glo -In d ia n J o u rn a l— Ih e Tim es o f In d ia —
ûnprecedented in tS e a n n a ls o f U n iv e r sity le g isla tio n
•
•
•
-
\
.
I
J
V
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)
'■ in th is cou n try , ad m its .o f no doubt and th is alono
w as su fficien t reason a s to w h y it sh o u ld ’n ot have
been tak en up a t th is tim e o f strain and gen eral a n x ie
ty.
\
W h en B ih a r w a s separated from B en g a l there
*were high h opes o f our g o in g forward and n o t back^ ward under th e sy m p a th etic g u id an ce o f a G overnm ent
s itu a ^ d clo se a t h a n d and devoted to our affairs alone.
* There w a s n o q u estio n th en o f our lo sin g a n y o f the
rights and p r iv ile g e s th at w e had been a lread y en joy
in g under th e G overnm ent o f B engal. N o w th e H o n ’ble
Sir C. S an k aran N a ir thu s explained the o rigin and
scope o f th e proposed University*: “ A s soon as the
new p ro vin ce o f B ih a r and O rissa w a s co n stitu ted in
1913, it w a s recogn ised that, in order to m ake it a
self-co n ta in ed P ro v in ce, it w a s n e cessa ry to furnish
it w ith tw o in stitu tio n s in particular, vi 2 .^ a H igh
Court and a U n iv e r sity . T he H ig h Court is an acoom , p lish ed fa c t and it rem ains for u s to bring in to ex istence.»the desired U n iv e r sity .” So far w e are all at
one w ith th e G overnm ent. B u t su rely it c a n n o t and
should not m ean th a t w e are to be c o n te n t w ith a n y
th in g le s s th an w h a t th e C alcutta U n iv e r sity is.
•
t
^
)
In 1857, w h e n U n iv e r sity le g isla tio n w a s fi»st
~ uiWertftken in In d ia , th e C alcu tta U n iv e r s ity A c t
provided th a t th e C hancellor, V ico-C h ancallor and
F e llo w s, for th e tim e being, should h a v e th e entire
•M anagem ent o f and su p erintend ence over, tlfe hffairs,
con cern s
y
and property o f th e
U n iv ersity .
A ctin g
( 12 )
under th is provision, th e Sen ate had pow er to m ake
and alter laye-Iaws and regu lation s subject to the
approval o f the G overnor-G eneral o f In d ia in C ouncil.
T he E x e c u tiv e G overnm ent o f th e U n iv e r sity w as
vested in the S y n d ica te, w h ich co n sisted o f th e V ic e ^
C hancellor and ten F ello w s, o f w hom o n ly th e V ic e - •
C h an cellor w a s appointed by th e G overnor G eneral
in C ou ncil and others w ere all elected by th e S en ate. ' ^
A nd it is to be nbted th a t even the In d ia n U n iv e r sitie s .
A c t of 1904 did n ot m a teria lly ch an ge th e co n stitu tio n
o f th e C alcu tta U n iv e r sity . The pow ers o f th e U n i
v e r sity w ere, on th e *other hand, som ew h at exten d ed
in th e lig h t o f the la te st educational reform s in E n g
land. T he S en a te con tinu ed to be the B od y Corporate
o f the U n iv e r sity and all powers conferred upon th e
C hancellor, V ice-C h an cellor and F e llo w s in th eir cor
porate c a p a city w ere vested in th e S en a te an d all
d u ties and lia b ilities, im posed upon the U n iv e r sity by
th e A ct o f 1857, w e r e also im posed upon th e S en ate
as re-co n stitu ted by the A c t o f 1904. The F a c u ltie s
w ere a lso to be appointed by the S en ate. T he E se c u *
tiv e G overnm ent w a s o n ly vested in th e S yn d icate
w h ich w a s to c o n sist o f the V ice-C hancellor, the
D irecto r o f Publip In stru ctio n and n ot less th an seven
or m ore th an fifteen F e llo w s, all elected by the S e n a t ^ ^ A
or by th e F a cu lties. T he Senate had also the iJovv'^rT
w ith th e san ction o f th e G overnm ent, to m ake r e g u la
tio n s, from tim e to iim e , and to provide for a ll m a t
ters relatin g to the U n iv ersity . B u t for th e first tim e *■'
in th e a n n a ls o f ifn iv e r sity leg isla tio n in India t h e
>
*
•
V
( 13 )
„
S yn d ica te o f th e P a tn a U n iv e r sity is Sought to be
given an in d ep en d en t ex iste n c e o w in g resp o n sib ility
to none else and su bject to th e g u id an ce o f no other
body and w e h a v e n e c e ssa r ily got a cu rious definition
o f Incorp oration in S. 3 (1) o f th e P a tn a U n iv e r sity
I\
_
\
U n d er th e A c t o f 1857, th e C hancellor, the V ic e '' ChaficeUor and the F ello w s o f the U n iv e r sity form th e
• B ody P o litic an d Corporate o f th e U n iv e r sity . U n d er
I
B ill.
th e A ct o f 1904, th e C hancellor, the R ector in th e
ca se o f th e C a lcu tta U n iversity, th e V ice-C h an cellor,
9
0
the ex-officio F e llo w s and
th e ordinary F e llo w s
*
form th e B od y Corporate and as, w ell th e S en a te o f
th e U n iv e r sity . B u t under th e P a tn a U n iv e r sity B ill,
'
th e C hancellor, th e V ice-C hancellor, the M em bers o f the
S yn d icate and S en a te are to form a B od y Corporate
by th e nam e o f th e P a tn a U n iv ersity . T h is is a n a t
tem pt to g iv e th e branch an ex isten ce ind ependent o f
^ th e parent tr e e and w e sh a ll see in 'a m om ent w h a t
mopientouB and far-reach ing ch a n g es are in tended to
*
be introduced *by th is innovation. Our proposed S e
n ate is not to be a le g isla tiv e body, it is n ot th e su p
rem e pow er in th e U n iv ersity . It has no pow er o f su p
erintendence and no authority. It* w ill be devoid
e n n o b lin g se n se o f resp on sibility w h ich c a lls
fortl^the h ig h e s t hum an endeavours and form s th e
stron gest ch eck on hum an caprice, ind olen ce and se l
fish n ess. It is to be no longer a nursery forj;h^ h ig h e st
aspiration s o f th e educated ( hear^hear ). It is to be no
y
( u
)
lo n ger a fiefd for responsible .co-operation b etw een th e p eople and the G overnm ent in th e g u id a n c e o f U n iv er
s ity ed u cation . T h e S en a te m a y o n ly d elib erate on
q u estio n s rela tin g to the ad m inistration o f the U n iv e r
s ity and com e to a resolution thereon. A co p y o f su ch
R eso lu tio n sh a ll be forwarded to and con sidered by th e f
S y n d ic a te but sh a ll n ot be binding on th a t body. T he
S en a te is th u s a m erely deliberative body— p r a c tica lly
a sch o o l debatiftgolub com posed of bearded m en (la u g h
ter)! I t m a y deliberate and deliberate t ill d o m esd a y but
to w h a t effect ? I t h as no power o f g iv in g effect to its
deliberation or o f carryin g out its reso lu tio n s. T hat
is th e s o le p riv ileg e o f th e Syn d icate.
N ow , let u s se e w h a t th e proposed S y n d ica te
m eans. I s it th e V ice-C hancellor, th e D irector o f th e
P u b lic In stru ctio n and th e elected M em bers o f th e S e
n ate, as a t O afoutta? A h ! N o ! Our S y n d ic a te sh u ll
c o n sist o f six te e n M em bers, in clud in g th e V ice-C h a n
cellor, th e D irector o f P u blic In stru ctio n in B ih a r &
O rissa, th e P rin cip a l o f the P a tn a C ollege a n d , thir
teen ord inary M em bers all nom inated l5y G overnm ent.
U pon th e exp iration o f th e period o f office o f t h e ordi
n ary M em bers o f th is first Syn d icate, th e S en ate m ay
elpct n in e o f them . B ut th ey m u st elect five m o m b er|
o f the U n iv e r sity S taff o r o f t h e tea ch in g S taff
C olleges o f th e U n iv ersity . W ho are th e M em bers of
th e U n iv e r s ity Staff? T hey are persons declared by
G overnm ent Regula*tions to be m em bers o f the U n iv e r -,
sity Staff, So th a t *out o f six teen M em bers form ing
i
.
.
M
i
-4
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t
(
15
)
th e S y n d ica te, o n ly four are exp ected to h a v e no offi
c ia l co n n ectio n . T h e R eso lu tio n s o f the S en ate can
not, therefore, h a v e a n y reasonable c h a n c e o f p assin g
through th e S y n d ic a te , if th e y be in a n y w a y opposed
to th e official v ie w .
^
T he S e n a te h a s no real pow er to le g isla te or
*make reg u la tio n s.
T he first R eg u la tio n s sh a ll b e
fram ed by th e L o ca l G overnm ent. T he S e n a te m ay,
from fim e to tim e, m ake now or a d d ition al R egu la• tion s or m a y a m en d or repeal th e regu lation s, b id (for
there is a sig n ific a n t but, w h ich ta k e s th e bottom o u t
o f th is im portant pow er o f the Senate) all n ew R eg u la
tion s or ad d itio n s to th e R eg u la tio n s or a m en d m en ts
or repeal o f th e R ^ u la t io n s sh a ll j-equire the p reviou s
sa n ctio n o f the liO cal G overnm ent, w h ic h m a y , a fter
th e op in ion o f th e S y n d ica te h as been ta k en , san ction ,
d isa llo w or rem it th e sam e for further con sideration.
W ill th e G o v ern m en t a llo w its ow n R eg u la tio n s to
be rep ealed or a m en d ed ? W ill th e S y n d ica te w ith
, its proposed co n stitu tio n g o a g a in st the G overnm ent
v iew t Our S e n a te w ill h ave th u s n o in itia tiv e in
U n iv e r sity le g is la tio n ; it w ill m odify or repeal o n ly
w here and wh'en th e G overnm ent w ill be p leased to
ask to do so. I do n o t see h ow a Sen a te, shorn o f all
râl pow er, can form a com p on en t târt o f a body
n porate. I t is a m isn om er to c a ll su c h a ’ S en a te a
corporate body. I am not sure w h eth er, in fa ct, it
w ill be or ca n be a le g a l en tity . (H ear, hear).
T he broad question a rises w h eth er thq people in
B ih a r and O rissa sh ou ld n ow be d e p r iv e d of a right
y
( 16 )
w h ich they* had been en jo y in g w h ile th e y w ere joint,
w ith B en gal. In th e se d ays o f high hop es about a
larger m easure o f Self-G overnm ent, and a now a n g le
of v isio n , is it n ot m ost tryin g to find th e little o f S e lfG overnm ent th e people had in the m atter o f h ig h edu
ca tio n ta k en a w a y from them ? O nly th e oth er d ay f
in an im portant circu lar to L o ca l G overnm ents, on th e
relatio n o f lo c a l bodies to educational in stitu tio n s, the
G overnm ent o f In d ia m entioned the fact th a t thS object
o f th e D ecen tra lisa tio n C om m ission in a ll its recom m
en d a tio n s w a s to g iv e to local bodies a greater share
in th e control o f su ch c la sse s o f ed ucation as are en
tru sted to th eir care and by so doing to e n list a greater
degree o f in terest 9 .nd en th u sia sm in th e e d u ca tio n a l
ad m in istration under th eir charge. In th e w ords o f
th e C ircular th e C om m ission “ recogn ised th a t th e
m ajority o f e d u ca tio n a l officers co n su lted w ere o f op i
n io n th a t th is p o lic y w ou ld lead to lo ss o f efficien cy
b u t th e y con sidered th a t th is v ie w should n o t p revail
a g a in st the recogn ised public p o lic y o f ed u ca tin g t h e ,
people in S elf-G overn m ent.” “T his con sid eration ”, th e
C ircular g o e s on to sa y , “ is in accord ance w ith the
v ie w alread y exp ressed by the G nverhm ent o f In d ia
and th e Secretary o f State." M ay I be p erm itted to
a sk w ith all du« deference, w h eth er th e u tter em a scu la tion o f th e P a tn a U n iv e r sity S en a te w ill educ a t e ^ w ^
people in S elf-G overn m en t? N o w if in th e ever-m eraorable w ords o f G lad ston e, it is Self-G overnm ent alone
that fits^ people for Self-G overnm ent, w h y should the
recogn ised p o lic y g f G overnm ent, a p o lic y em phasised
A
(
n
)
t>nly th e other d a y , be de'îiated from in th is particular
in sta n c e ? In a n e w U n iv e r sity leg isla tio n , w e ex p ect
to find a m ore rep resen ta tiv e and certa in ly a larger
body o f S en ators w ith real pow ers and real responsibi^ lity . (H ear, hear).
W e -d o n o t ob ject to a large ed u cation al elem en t
,^ in th e com p osition o f th e S yn d icate. U n iv e r sity P ro
fessors *and te a c h e r s of G overnm ent C olleges are pre
su m ab ly e d u ca tio n a l experts and th eir presen ce in the
S y n d ic a te is b e lie v e d to be a source o f good. B u t th en
th e S y n d ica te sh o u ld be th e con trollin g pow er as
•
regards e d u c a tio n a l p oin ts only, and sh ou ld n o t be the
real and su prem e a u th o rity in gu id in g th e p o lic y and
g en era l a d m in istra tio n o f the U n iv e r sity . T he B ill
B a y s ;— “ S u b ject t o th e provision s o f th is A c t and th e
R eg u la tio n s th e S y n d ica te sh a ll h a v e th e entire
^ m an agem en t of, and sup erin ten dence over, th e affairs,
con cern s and prop erty o f th e U n iv ersity , sh a ll con trol
/ h e courses o f stu d y , the exam in a tio n s, th e q u alifica
tio n s n e cessa ry for ordinary degrees, and a ll m atters
o f ed u ca tio n in th e C olleges o f the U n iv e r sity , sh a ll be
responsible for th e su p ervision and in sp e c tio n o f su ch
m atters in th e E x te r n a l C olleges, and sh a ll reg u late th e
fees to bo ch a rg ed by the U n iv e r sity "and colleges.^*
e x traordinary S y n d ica te is th u s th e S en a te and
th e S y n d ica te o f other U n iv ersities com bined. T h is
com bination o f fu n c tio n s and th is freedom o f th e S y n
d icate from a ll con trol b y th e B e n a tS can not.coBducc_
to th e b est in te r e sts o f ed u cation atid it c a n n o t be,'
2
i
r}-■ H ."
i
18
)
therefore, the h ig h ly condem ned by all w e ll-w ish e r s o f
h igh er ed u ca tio n in B ehar and O rissa (cheers).
T he R eport o f th e R oyal C om m ission on th e Uni"
v er sity o f L ondon proposes to m ake th e Court the
suprem o G overn in g B ody o f th e U n iv e r sity an d th e f
S en a te its C entral E x ecu tiv e organ. It ca refu lly o o ip siders the argu m en ts for and a g a in st g iv in g suprem e
govern in g pow er to a w id ely rep resen tative body lik e *
th e Court, "ând th e n sa y s, in pai*a 110 :— “ S everal im
portant w itn e sse s h a v e also giv en ev id en ce in support of
th e plan o f p la cin g th e suprem e pow er in the body o f a.
w id e ly rep resen tative Court, w h ile th e o n ly argu m en ts
,
a d van ced a g a in st itâre those co n ta in ed in R eport ‘ B ’,.
•
w h ich w a s sign ed by seven m em bers o f the A o a d e m ic
i
C ouncil. T hese M em bers th ink th a t “ a b o d y o f th e
'
size and h eterogen eou s character proposed w o u ld h?vve:
no real pow er,” w h ic h w ould in fa ct rest e n tir e ly w ith
^ .
the sm a ll ex ecu tiv e. T h ey further th in k th e e x ecu tiv e
could n ot ta k e adequate cognizance o f th e co m p lica ted
problem s o f the U n iv e r sity education in London- W e
b elieve th e first o f th e argum ents is based upon a con•
fu sio n o f th ou gh t b etw een L egislative* and E x ec u tiv e
fu n ctio n s. A la rg e h eterogeneous body can n o t tran.*;act ex ecu tiv e b u sin e ss, and for th is purpose it w ould
h£ p ow erless b ecau se inefficient, w h ile th e pow er
rest, as it ou ght to rest, w ith th e o xecu tive bod^ "^B ut
it w ill be able to m ake the voice o f its co n stitu en c ies
heard in th e g en era l plan o f organisation and p olicy,
by its control ove^r th e U n iv ersity sta tu te s, over the.
i
(
19
)
in clu sion o f in stitu tio n s g,s co n stitu en t colleg es and
over the reco g n itio n o f in stitu tio n as school o f th e
U n iv ersity . H ere its pow er is com plete and final.”
T hese are w e ig h ty — ineeed, very w eig h ty —words,
• ^ w h ich our G overn m en t should not ignore or overlook.
Xhe efficiency o f a suprem e Sen ate h as had n early
» six ty yea rs’ trial in In d ia as w ell, and the m agn ificen t
• endow ijients o f th e C alcutta and B om bay U n iv e r sitie s
arc an evid en ce o f th e in terest aw a k en ed in the p eople
by the *existencc o f a S en ate popular and g e n u in e ly
pow erful, w h ile th e Sen ate as proposed by th e P a tn a
U n iv ersity B ill, I v en tu re to sa y , wiH, far from rou sin g
I
a n y real in terest in th e people, m ake it hardly p ossib le
for them to join it w ith a n y am ount o f self-respect or
ardour o f pu b lic serv ice. (H ear, hear.)
^
•
> ^
C o n siste n tly \v lth the other provision s o f th e B ill,
the V ice-C h a n cello r is to be a w h ole tim e officer app
ointed b y the G overn m en t, and not one o f th ose em in en t
honorary w orkers, w h o h ave shed a lu stre on th e
C alcutta U n iv e r sity and others and h ave raised th e
d ig n ity o f th eir office to one o f the h ig h e st to w h ich an
In d ia n ca n aspft*e, w h o m a y be desirous o f serving h is
country, by th e ir ex a lted position and th eir u n selfish
y e t w h o le-h ea rted devotion to duty. T he V ice-C han*
1 1 or, it is proposed, sh a ll, in d ep en d en tly o f the S y n d i
c a t e ,^ ^ o in t and con trol a ll officers and serv an ts o f
the U n iv e r sity o th er than th e U n iv ersity Staff. T h e
C hancellor w ill h a v e th e fo llo w in g am ongst oth er
p o w e r s;
I f in th e opinion o f th e C han cellor an
(
20
)
enquiry in fo a n y q u estion oonnocted w ith th e adm inis*
tration o f the U n iv e r sity is, at a n y tim e, exp ed ien t, the
C han cellor m a y ca u se su ch enquiry to be m ade by su ch
persons, and in su ch m anners, as he m a y d irect, and
after co n sid erin g th e resu lt thereof, and a scerta in in g
th e v ie w s o f th e S y n d ica te and o f a n y oth er au th o rity
o f th e U n iv e r sity w h ic h he m a y th in k fit to co n su ll
thereon , h e m a y p a ss su ch orders a s seem to him to be
right and proper, and the sam e sh a ll be b in d in g upon
every a u th o rity and officer o f th e U n iv e r sity .” I t is*
not a t a ll stran ge th a t referring to th e se p o w ers the
Tim es o f In d ia says^that th e y are u n p reced en ted in the
an n als o f U n iv e r sity leg isla tio n in In d ia, I n fa c t the
P a tn a U n iv e r sity i» to be b o v ery m uch o fd c ia lise d th a t
one m a y be pardoned for sa y in g th a t it lo o k s m ore lik e
creatin g a n e w quill-driving D epartm ent o f Q overnm cnt, rather th a n a nursery o f learning, c u ltu re and
en lig h ten n ien t. (H ear, hear.)
N o w a b solu te State control in m atters e d u c a tio n
al is a G erm an ic ideal, and is opposed to th e b e st tra- *
d itio n s o f E ngland and India a lik e £wid th e tr u ly ad
van ced n a tio n s o f th e civilized w orld. (H ear, hear) E ven
in G erm an y it is but a historic d ev elo p m en t rather
^he resu lt o f th e delibera,tq pursqit qf an id e a l. T o
qhote P roffessor P a u lsen , author o f ’ Tho G erm an,
U n iv e r sitie s and U n iv ersity Stud ies,’ “ I n G erW any
th e d evelop m ent o f th e U n iv ersity in to a S ta te in s ti
tu tio n w a s an h isto rica l n e c e ssity . A s w a s p rev io u sly
explain ed, th e G erm an U n iv ersities did not sp rin g up
( 21
)
g;^cJiltail0 o u sly b u t w ere fQunded by th e G overniiient,
A t first the S ta te m erely granted endow m ents and
p rivileges; th e in tern a l affairs, in stru otion and ex
a m in ation s, w ere in d ep en d en tly oi'dered and adm i
nistered by th e Corporation. S in ce th e l5 th century
lôwever, the a u th o r ity o f th e G overnm ent began
to assert its e lf in th is d irection a ls o } th e y soon
learned^ how to m a k e their o tdin a tio n s and refo r
m ations felt a g a in s t th e opposition o f the* Corporations
w h ich in sisted u p on theii* a u to n o m y
Could su ch a
State of th in g s be allo w ed in E ngland and is it at all
co n sisten t With B r itish id eal w h ictu w e h a v e inlbibed
and learn t to r e g a fd as our birthright ?
L o o k in g b a ck upon th e 18th century, th e great
G erm an sch olar Sohleierm ach er says:— “ Sch ools and
U n iv ersities suffer, th e longer, th e m ofe k een ly , from
the fa ct that th e S ta te regards them a s in stitu tio n s
in w h ich th e p u rsu it o f k now ledge is n ot to be carried
ôn for its ow n s a k e , but for the benefit o f th e S tate and
th a t it m isu n d ersta n d s and ham pers th eir natural end
eavour to Confornt to th e la w s im posed upon th em by
S cien ce;” This* em in en t Germ an also d eclares th a t
“ th e gu ard ian sh ip o f th e S tate, w h ic h w a s probably
n ecessa ry at an ea rlier day, m ust, lik e aU g u ard ian sh ip ,
, oome to an end so m e time.** A nd as a matter' o f fadt
P rotessor P a u lse n Says:— “ On th e other hand, the
U n iv e rsity and te a c h e r s h a v e gained m uch in th e w a y
o f in tern a l freedom , th e 18th cen tu ry ’s p a ssio n for re
g u la tin g th in g s n o lon ger a n n o y s tjiem . T he greater
(
22
)
lega l secui'5ty, -which the g ei\eral code g a v e to all State
officials, •also benefited the P rofessors, w h ile, w ith the
b eg in n in g o f the 19th cen tu ry, their o rigin al corpora
tiv e in d epend ence w as grad u ally restored to thorn.”
A re w e then in the 20th cen tu ry to go back to a
sta te o f th in g s w h ic h prevailed in the 18th cen tu ry ifi
G erm an y? (H ear, hear). E v en th e S y n d icate, though
te e m in g w ith officials and G overnm ent noftiinees,
is n ot to be tru sted to decide a n y q uestion co n cern in g
the U n iv e r sity , su c h as affiliation, fram ing of the
regu lation s, etc.; everyth in g is le ft to be decided
by th e L o c a l G overnm ent. N ow , th e head o f a big
and g ro w in g province lik e B ih ar and Oris.sa can not
p o ssib ly atten d p erso n a lly to th ese details. H e m ust
use the e y e s and ears of others, viz, either on e o f h is
co lle a g u e s or h is educational Secretary or th e D irector
o f P a l lie lan tru ction , and in practice the rule o f th is one
m an w ill be su b stitu ted for th e rule o f th e S y n d ica te ,
w h ic h ob ta in s at the other U n iv ersities. A responsible,
learn ed and d iv ersely rcprsentativc body lik e th e S y n
d ica te, com posed o f ed u cation al ex p e fts, w ill n o t have
th e la s t w ord on a n y educational questio*ti, if th e D irec
tor o f P u b lic In stru ction m ay happen to differ from it,
and in actu a l practice the D irector o f P u b lic In str u c
tion , a fter b ein g out-voted in the S y n d ica te, m a y be
able to ca rry his point in h is c a p a city as “ theTCocal
G overn m en t.” A S ecretary hidden b eh ind a barricade
of d esp atch b oxes and w orking w ith o u t a d v isers, and
w ith o u t a n y public resp onsibility, w ill th u s be ab le to
( 23
)
d efeat a C ouncil o f ed u ca tio n a l experts. T h is is the
glorious boon h eld before u a !
A g a in , it m u st not be forgotten th a t th e C olleges
at M uzafferpore, B h agalp ore and H azaribagh and the
B ehar N a tio n a l C ollege a t B ankipore ow e th eir origin
tp th e public spirit and lib era lity o f private gen tlem en .
I stift"sem em ber th e an x io u s d a y s w e passed w ith
B abu B issesw a r S in g h , th e founder o f the B ehar N a
tional C ollege, for g iv in g a fair start t<? th a t C ollege.
B oth m y friend, th e la te B abu G ovind C haran, and
m y se lf had to offer ou rselv es as honorary P rofessors
for som e tim e. Our earn est request«to our G overnm ent
is that th e co n stitu tio n o f th e P a tn a U n iv e r sity should
n o t be in spired b y a repudiation o f fhe acad em ic id ea ls
of E ngland and th e hitherto follow ed ed u ca tio n al po
lic y of B ritish I n d i a ; th a t popular en th u sia sm , popular
Interest,popular co-operation and popular control, w h ich
are p riceless a s s e ts for th e d evelopm ent o f the U n i
v e rsity , be not sitfled by ta k in g a w a y a ll e lem en ts of
' p opularity from th e proposed U n iv e r sity . G reat is
D ian a o f E p h esu s ; great is ofdcialdom in I n d ia ; but it is
not and sh o u ld n o t bo om nipotent, nor ca n it be o m n is
cien t. (H ear, hear). T here is and should bo a p la ce for an
educated and p rogressive people in the ^ iv ln c order of
th in gs, and w e y e t ven tu re to hope th a t it m a y be so
in the sch em e and co n stitu tio n of th e P a tn a U n iv e r sity .
B u t th is is not, u n fortu n ately, a ll th a t w o have to
com plain a g a in st, for w e b eliev e the U n iv e r sity B ill is
calcu la ted to lim it and n ot to extend U n iv e r sity edu-
( 24
)
c a tio n .in ovr ProvlncG. I b eliev e th a t th e idea, at first,
w a s to create a te a c h in g and resid en tia l U n iv e rsity in
P a tn a and to b rin g together a ll th e C olleges in the
P rov in ce w ith in prescribed lim its o f th is tow n . A nd
it is by a com prom ise th at the e x is tin g C olleges, except
on e, h a v e been allow ed to rem ain in th eir present
p laces. A s regards th a t one, there is th e fiat of uttdt
ex tin ctio n . T h e argum ent p ossib ly i s :
ave
con ced ed enou gh by a llo w ii^ th e e x istin g M ofussil
C olleges to retain th eir existen ce. W e can n o t certain-*
ly a llo w fresh C olleges to be built at other p la c e s.” It
se em s to m e, there is so m eth in g ra d ica lly w ron g in
th e p osition th u s ta\:en up by th e fra m ers o f th e B ill.
I daresay, th e R eport o f th e H ald a n e C om m ission
o n th e London Universitj^ h a s m u ch t o do w ith th e
id e a th a t u n d erlies th is p o sitio n . I t i s forgotten ,
h ow ever, th a t th e R eport had o n ly to deal w ith th e
U n iv e r sity requirem ents o f Iôndon and n o t o f the
w h o le o f E ngland. It had to ta k e into co n sid eration
o n ly the lo ca tio n o f C olleges in different p arts o f
L ondon. T he fo llo w in g quotation w ill m ak e th e p oin t
c le a r ; —
*
“ A s a g a in st su c h cen tra lisa tio n , it m a y be said
th a t th o great siz e o f L ondon r a ise s a g eograp h ical
difficu lty w h ich 'ca n be m et o n ly by providing sep arate
C olleges in different parts o f the M etro p o lis
U n iv er
s it y C olleges a d eq u ately staffed and efficien tly equip
ped, and p roviding a w id e enough r a n g e o f stu d y to
secure# aoadennc culture for the stu d en ts, are very
(
25 )
6xp6ilsive, and are n o t required for a n y large pr<5portion o f the pop u lation . N o t m ore th a n throe or
four su ch C olleges could probably be provided in L on
don or w ould be required for stu d en ts...O n th e w hole,
w e th in k , there is p ra ctica lly n o geograph ical problem
in th e case o f fu ll tim e d ay stu den ts o f th e U n iv e r s ity ;
*but^BT^n if th ere is som e in co n y en ien co to a few , w e
t h in k r a e a d v a n ta g es o f cen tra lisa tio n m ore th an
cou n ferb alan ce a n y in co n v en ien ce thaj; could be obvi’ ated by the esta b lish m en t or reten tion o f .U niversity
C olleges in v a r io u s parts o f L ondon.”
There is n o question th en *of cen tra lisin g th e
C olleges o f a P r o v in c e lik e B ihar and O rissa in Patna#
ju st as there c a n be no qu estion o f ce n tr a lisin g all the
C olleges o f E n g la n d in L ondon.
T he P ro v in ce of
B ih ar and O rissa h as an area o f 83,181 square m iles,
th a t o f E n g la n d b ein g o n ly 50,874 square m iles. The
population o f B ih a r and O rissa is 34,490,184, th a t of
E nglan d b ein g o n ly 34,045290. B u t th o u g h th e area
o f our P ro v in ce is larger, and th e p op u la tio n about
th e sam e, E n g la n d h as 22 C olleges in th e Oxford
U n iv er sity , 17 in Cam bridge, 3 in th e U n iv e r sity o f
W a le s, and 3 incorporated in th e U n iv e r sity of L on
don, b esid es a la rg e num ber o f federated College;^,
the U n iv e r sitie s o f D urham , B irm ingh am , Bristbl,
L eeds, L iverp ool, M an ch ester and Sheffield, and 3
U n iv e r sity C olleges a t E xeter, B e a d in g and S ou
tham pton . T h ere are a lso s e v e n . A gricu ltu ral C ol
le g e s. Y e t does a n y one ven tu re to sa y , th ere sh a ll
C 26
)
b e no m o r e ’ C olleges in E ngland in a n y other tow n
b esid es the above ?
The P a tn a U n iv e r sity B ill proposes to recog
n ise o n ly 7 C olleges in the w h o le o f the P rovin ce of
B ih a r and O rissa, and n ow C olleges m a y be b u ilt o n ly
w ith in one m ile from the Sen ate H o u se o f the U niver-»
s it y a t P a tn a and in one o f the fo llo w in g t o w i / ^ ^ l y ,
n a m e ly :— M uzaffarpur,
B hagalpur, C uttack, • and
H azaribagh. N o w , th ere is very lit t le ch an ce of h a v
in g m ore C olleges in th ose tow n s. In P a tn a itse lf
th ere m ay be one or m ore C olleges, i f p rem ission be
g iv e n for a sp ecia lised S anskrit or M oslem C ollege.
B u t su ch a proposal h as been vetoed for th e present.
T here is. therefore, practicallj’- no room for exp an sion
o f C olleges. Y e t there are m an y M o fu ssil tow ns,
sp e c ia lly head-quarters o f D istricts, w here privat-e
en terprise and private zeal m ay, in future, find exp res
sio n in the estab lish m en t o f C olleges. A lrea d y th ere
h a s b een som e stir about su ch C olleges in G a y a aud
M anbhum . There is a largo dem and for a C ollege in
th e h e a lth y S on th al P ergan as and in •rich and popu
lo u s D urbhanga.
W h y sh ou ld th ere h i any restric
tion in th is direction ? W h y sh ou ld a dead w a ll be
p;*esented as the ed u cation al future o f B ih a r and
O rissa ? W h y sh ou ld th e n ew province bo h a n d i
cap p ed in risin g up to th e level o f o th er p ro v in ces?
W h y should its backw ardness be perpetu ated b y Sta
tu te? (H ear, hear). In B engal, w ith alm o st th e sam e area
a s th a t of our P rovince, there are 51 C olleges, w h ile w e
( 27 )
•
are to be p erp etu ally cortfined'to 7. In M adras there
are 39 C olleges; in B om bay 15; in A gra and Oudh
49, and even in th e Punjab 19. la there a n y logic
in th e proposal th a t B ihar and O rissa is to h a ve o n ly
7 C olleges and, sa y , perhaps one or tw o m ore at
•Patna in th e v ery rem ote fu tu re? In B en gal alm ost
e v ^ ^ ^ s t r i c t h a s a C ollege o f its ow n or is g o in g to
h ave one before lon g. W h y sh a ll not sim ilar exp an
sion be a llo w ed in B ihar and O rissa ? T he on ly
p ossib le ob jectio n is th a t C olleges a t great d ista n ces
from one a n o th er can not be federated and ca n n o t be
w ell brought u n d er a central iftfluence.
B ut you
h ave a lrea d y d ev ia ted from th e rule. S ir C. Sankaran
N a ir s a y s : — “ T h ere w ere several C olleges in th e
P ro v in ce situ a te d a t a considerable d ista n ce from
P a tn a , a t w h ich stu d en ts w ere b ein g a lread y educated
for a U n iv e r s ity career, and from w h ic h it w a s im pos
sib le to ex p ect a co m p lete m igration o f stu d en ts to a
c en tra l U n iv e r sity . I t w as accordin gly decided, that
in addition to th e U n iv e r sity C olleges a t P a tn a , there
sh ou ld be a se r ie s o f extern al C olleges a t variou s
cen tres, ou tsifle P a tn a itself. The c en tra l U n iv ersity
a t P a tn a , th erefore, and th e extern al C olleges are
to be u n ited so a s to form a sin g le U kiiversity gover
n e d by com m on regu lation s and under th e sam e
g e n e ra l control.”
I f th ere be ex tern a l C olleges at
variou s cen tres ou tsid e P a tn a , w h y should those
C olleges be at o n ly four p a rticu la r to w n s and not
at others ? I t sh ou ld be borne in m in d th a l t t e new
(
)
id eal of a tea ch in g and resid en tial U n iv e r sity caiirio^
be strictly 'fo llo w ed in th e extern al C olleges, and the
o n ly proper so lu tio n is th a t th ese extern al C olleges,
fa r rem oved from e a ch other, sh ou ld each d evelop
its e lf in to a U n iv e r sity in th e course o f tim e. B ut
th is m ean s a huge o u tla y o f m oney, w h ich the Gôvern-.
m ent is not prepared to m ake, and, it is urirea^jpflSfde
to exp ect th e people to m ake up the d eficien cy. So
th e ex tern a l OoHegea m u st go on a s th e y are, under
an E x a m in in g U n iv ersity , but under greater control
and su pervision th an before. T hu s there is no reason
w h y there should n ot be more C olleges elsew here;
T he efficien cy o f h igh er education is a s m uch a con
cern o f the p eop le as* the spread o f h igher education^
(H ear, hear). T he m em orable resolu tion o f Lord Gurzon
on the ed ucation al p o lic y o f th e G overnm ent o f In d ia
la y s stress b oth upon the qu an tity and th e q u a lity of
education. T he R eso lu tio n first refers to thd d esp atch of
1854 in theSe]w ords:-^“ In th eir despatch o f 1854, the
Court o f D irectors announced th eir decisiorl th a t the
G overnm ent should a c tiv e ly a s s is t in the m ore ex ten
ded and sy ste m a tic prom otion o f g en era l ed u cation
in India. T h ey regarded it as a sacred d uty to confer
upon the native^ o f India th o se v a st m oral and m a te
rial b lessin g s w h ic h flow from th e gen eral d iffu sion of
u sefu l k n ow led ge.” T he R e so lu tio n co n c lu d es w ith
th e fo llo w in g in sp irin g w o r d s :— " Thd G overnor-G ene
ral in C ouncil h as n ow passed in rev iew th e h istory
and progress o f W estern ed u cation undor B ritish
( 29 )
B u lo in In d ia, th e objects w h ich it se e k s *to acconjp^
lish and th e m ea n s w h ich it em ploys. I t . h as been
sh o w n h ow in d igen ou s m ethods o f in stru ction w ere
tried and found w a n tin g ; how in 1854 th e broad o u t
lin e s o f a com p reh en siv e sch em e o f n a tio n a l educa
tio n w ere for th e first tim e d eterm in ed ; h ow th e prinaccep ted h a v e been c o n siste n tly follow ed
ever siOTe; how th e y w ere affirmed by th e E d u cation
C om m issioij o f 1882, and how th e y ^re n ow b ein g
' further ezton d ed and developed, in re sp o n se to th e
grow in g n eed s o f th e country by th e com bined efPorta
o f the G oyern m en t o f India and th e P ro v in cia l Goyernm ents. Tho sy ste m o f ed u cation th u s ezten d ed
m akes p rovision in v a ry in g d egrees for a ll form s of
in te lle c tu a l a c tiv ity th a t appeal to a c iv iliz ed com
m u n ity , I t s e e k s to sa tisfy th e a sp ira tio n s o f stu
dents, in th e d om ain o f lea rn in g and r e s e a r c h ; it
su p p lies th e G overnm ent w ith a su c c e ssio n o f upright
and in te llig e n t p u blic s e r v a n ts; it tra in s w orkers in
every branch o f com m ercial enterprise th a t h a s m ade
good its fo o tin g in I n d ia ; it attem pts to develop the
resources o f th e co u n try and to stim u la te and im prove
in d ig en o u s arts and in d u s tr ie s ; it offers to a ll c la sse s
o f so ciety a tr a in in g suited to th eir p o sitio n in l i f e ;
and for th e se en d s it is organ ised dn lin e s w h ic h
adm it o f in d efin ite expan sion , a s th e dem and for
ed u cation g ro w s and public funds or p rivate lib era lity
afford a larger m easu re o f support.” N ow , I u n h e si
ta tin g ly declare th a t the people o f dur P r o v ip c^ w ^nt
< 30
)
tM s iudefinke expansion w ith grow in g dem and for
education^ W ill th e purpose lie served by lo c a lisin g
C olleges and p u ttin g a territorial bar upon th eir ex
pansion, in a province o f eig h ty three thousand square
m iles ? (N o, N o.) I w ish I could a sse n t to it.
I am th u s driven to th e con clu sion th a t i f t h e .
U n iv ersity can not ta k e charge o f more
C olleges, it had b etter n ot e x ist a t all. In a province,
w h ich , as P rofessor Jadu nath Sarkar sa id th e other
day, “ h a s been 50 y e a r s behind th e other p rovin ces
in ta k in g to E n g lish education, ’’ th e spread o f ed u ca
tion is o f greater im portance th a n so-called increased
efficiency. T he cry o f efificioncy h as o n ly o f la te y e a r s
been raised w ith v eh em en ce in L ondon, w h ere th e re is
progress all round w ith a rap id ity th at w o c a n not
even dream of. W e ca n certa in ly w a it till th ere is at
first an adequate ex ten sio n o f h ig h er ed u cation in our
province, till w e h a v e a t le a st as m a n y C olleges as
other provinces, in proportion to our population. In th e
m ean tim e th e P a tn a C ollege m a y be le ft to fo llo w its
ow n id eal o f U n iv ersity education ; and th e asp iration s
of our eager body o f professors to fo llo w •the reform ed
m ethods o f th e L ondon U n iv e r sity m a y th u s be fulfilled.
I f th e P a tn a U n iv ersity be n o t able to tak e charge o f
th ese external C olleges, it Is m u ch better th a t all e x
ternal C olleges, should continu e under th e C a lc u tta
U n iv e r sity , w h ic h does n o t ev id en tly feel overburdened
by its presen t charge. T hen w e do^ n o t see w h y th e
external C olleges should be debarred from g iv in g a com -
( 31 )
p le te U n iv e r sity educaticpi. T he cTctornal C olleges, w e
are to ld ,w ill te a c h in A rts subjects o n ly up to th e P a s s
B. A . and to th e In term ed ia te Standard in S cien ce sub
jects. A s ex cep tio n s to the above, the C uttack C ollege
w ill provide te a c h in g for th e H onours B. A . and th e P a s s
B. S c. and th e B ih a r N a tio n a l C ollege w ill provide teath e P a s s B. Sc.
T he c o n d itio n s about th e best tea ch ers and th e
best co n d itio n s m a y never be attain ed in 'th e estim ation
of U n iv e r sity au th orities. B ut I do n o t see w h y th e
C olleges w ill not be g iv en a fair ch a n ce to sh ow the
resu lts o f th eir w o rk in the higher eou rses, w h ich t h e y
are to be prohibited from taking, and w h y the public
should n o t in th e first p lace be encouraged to provide
fu n d s for th e in crea sed requirem ents o f the external
C olleges. I w o u ld draw th e a tten tion o f th e a u th o rities
in th is c o n n ectio n to the follo w in g rem arks o f th e L on
don U n iv e r sity C om m ission:—“I t is a lso a g rea t disad
v a n ta g e to th e u n d ergrad u ate students o f th e U n iv er
sity th a t post-gard u ate stu den ts should be rem oved toseparate in stitu tio n s. T h ey ought to be in co n sta n t
c o n ta c t w ith th ose w ho aro doing m ore advan ced work
th an th em selv es, and w ho are not too far b eyond them
but stim u la te *.nd en cou rage them by the fa m ilia r pre
sen ce o f an g.ttainable id ea l.”
*
T he D iam on d J u b ilee C ollege at M on gh yr is said
to be a sm a ll and w e a k in stitu tion . Is th a t a n y reason
w h y it should be don e a w a y w ith, < I had al^mqît said
k illed )? T h e sto n e tab let in that Q otiege w ill g iv e a
( 33 )
Btory o f m agn ificen t donation, w h ich bespeak great
local en th u sia sm a t the back o f th a t C ollege. I f it is
w eak , ca n it not be m ade larger? W ere the lo c a l pub
lic asked to raise m ore fu nd s? D id th e y d eclin e to do
th eir part o f the w ork ? The death o f the in stitu tio n
w ill g iv e a set b ack to public en th u sia sm and p u b l^
lib erality. In th e ca u se o f education m atters
m ent w eig h m u ch in In d ia, as in every other c iv ilise d
country. W e hear m u ch th e se d ays about th e rig h ts of
w eak and sm a ll n a tio n a lities. H ave w eak an d sm all
C olleges no right ex cep t o f being strangled ? I s there
no sp irit o f rig h teo u sn ess left in u s to sa v e th em from
th e u n m erited!slaugh ter o f in nocents. (H ear, hear).
•
H ow I sh a ll turn to another and a m o st im portant
asp ect o f th e P a tn a U n iv e r sity B ill. T he B ill is th e o u t
com e o f a desire to m ak e the province s e lf con tain ed .
T h is is w h a t w o a ll w a n t and all w ish for. B u t is it a
self-co n ta in ed U n iv e r sity w e are promised? T here is to
b e no E n g in e e r in g C ollege in th e U n iv e r sity , no M ed i
cal C ollege, no F e m a le C ollege, no A g ricu ltu ra l C ollege,
no C ollege o f C om m erce and even the e x istin g co lleg e
o f L a w ia .n o t g o in g to b e ineorporatecf in it. F o r a
lon g series o f y e a r s w e in th is province h a v e been keen
about a n E n g in eerin g C ollege, rathei^we are for a C ol
le g e o f T ech n o lo g y , in o ld in g C ivil and M e c h a n ic a l
E n g in eerin g , M eta llu rg y and m in ing. N o oth er pro
v in ce ca n b oa st o f su c h b ig and e x te n siv e F a cto ries as
T ata’s Iron an d S te e l W ork s at Sakch i in our P rovin ce
and th e J a m a lp u r R a ilw a y w orkshops. N o oth er pro-
( 33 )
•
v in c e h as g o t su ch advant'agos o f p ost-graduate stu
dies in T ech n o lo g y as B ehar and O rissa. T here is a
p atriotic basis in T a ta ’s concern, and I do not b elieve
th ere w ill be m u ch objection to g iv e it an ed u cative
v a lu e in th e P ro v in ce w here it is located . I do not
k n ^ jw ^ h a t th e p osition o f G overnm ent is as regards
th e J a n iS ^ u r w orkshops. A s th e present con tract w ith
th e E a s t In d ia R a ilw a y Com pany is sh o rtly com in g
fco an end, th is is th e tim e to m ove G overnm en t ear
n e stly , to see i f it can g iv e an educative v a lu e to the
Jam alpur w orksh op s, w h eth er the con tract be renew ed
w ith the C om pany or not. T hen w e h a v e a M in in g
In stitu te in B eh a r. A nd b oth m ining and fo restry aro .
in d isp en sa b le to a province o f h ills and forests. W e do
n o t w a n t th a t a T ech n o lo g ica l In stitu te sh ou ld be
g iv e n to u s at o n ce, but w e do w a n t th a t th e E n gin eer
in g School should be forth w ith raised to th e sta tu s of a
C ollege. A s for a M ed ical C ollege, it m a y be a ques
tio n of tim e, but w e w a n t th at th e U n iv e r sity B ill
sh ou ld d istin c tly provide for it. T he B ankipore g irls’
H ig h School is a lread y tea ch in g up to th e I. A. Course
and it m a y be at on ce raised to the sta tu s o f a C ollege.
T he B ad sh ah N a w a b F em a le T raining C o lleg e is no
doubt a t p resent concerned w ith a low »tandard. But;
if th e G irls’ S ch o o l be m ade a C ollege, th e T rain in g
C ollege m a y tra in fem ale grad u ates and under-gradu
ates from th e oth er C ollege in the scien ce o f teach ersh ip .
•
I am n o t m u ch in love w it h ,t h e A g ricu ltu ral
C ollege a t Sabour. I b eliev e agricultural ed u cation
•
3
(
31 )
•
m u st fo llo w th e lin e s su g g ested b y a careful considera-*
tion o f th e different m ethods adopted in the U n ited
S ta te s o f A m erica and described in th e reports o f the
C om m issioners o f E ducation, (W ashington), sp e c ia lly
for the y e a r s 1911 and 1913. In an a g ricu ltu ral co u n
try lik e In d ia there is every reason w h y an AgricjjJtural C ollege sh o u ld form part o f th e U n iv e j ^ ^ ; A.s
Lord H a ld a n e’s R eport s a y s :—“ W e h a v e no- doubts
how ever, that* a n y branch o f kn ow ledge w h ic h is suffi;
c ien tly developed and sy stem a tised to be ca p a b le o f
scien tific treatm ent, m a y be taugh t and stu died in such
a w a y as to form part o f a U n iv ersity edu cation. The
differentia o f U n iv e r sity education do not c o n sist in
th e n atu re o f th e p articu lar subject stu died or in th eir
d ifficu lty or a b stru sen ess, but rather in th e n atu re and
aim o f th e stu d en ts’ w ork, and in th e co n d ition s under"
w h ic h i t is d o n e .! ”
A g a in , “ K n ow led g e is, o f course, th e fou n d ation
and m edium o f a ll in te lle c tu a l edu cation , but in a U n i - ,
versity , k n ow led ge should be pursued n ot m ere ly for
the sa k e o f th e inform ation to be acquired, b u t for its
ow n ex ten sio n and a lw a y s w ith reference to th e a tta in
m en t o f truth.” E x ten sio n o f S cien tific k n o w led g e, o f
•agricultural artd S cien tific R esearch in to th e con d ition s
aifectin g it, m a n y o f w h ich are p u rely lo ca l, are of
g rea t im portance in every province o f In d ia, and w e
should n ot le a v e ev ery th in g to be done by th e P u sa
R esearch In stitu te . L a st but not le a st, th ere is n eed
for a C ollege of. C om m erce, as w e h a v e got several
( 35
)
im portant in d u stries in our P rovince. A g a ip , I do not
understand w h y th e P a td a L a w C ollege is to form no
part o f th e P a tn a U n iv e r sity . Y e t Sir C. S ankaran
N a ir sa y s in h is address :—“A s to th e courses o f study,
it is intended th a t th e U n iv e r sity is to undertake th e
w h ole o f the S c ie n c e tea ch in g o f the U n iv e r sity C ola t P atn a, L a w tea ch in g and th e H onours B. A.
and the ^ ost-grad u ate w ork in A rts su b iects.” J u s t at a
'tim e w h en tw o o f th e lu m in aries o f Y o u n g B ih ar h ave
•passed th e H onou rs E xam in ation in L a w and are pro
ceed in g to the d egree o f D octor o f L a w s o f th e C alcutta
U n iv e r sity , it w ill be a m isfortune to g iv e a set-back to
th e ju st em u la tio n o f th e risin g geiferation, b y exclu d
in g L a w from th e U n iv ersity .
G en tlem en , i t h as been said, in som e quarters, th a t
B ihar is a backw ard P rovin ce, and it h a s therefore
been se le c te d as th e experim ental ground o f a n ew
departure in U n iv e r sity legislation . I desire to sa y
th a t I do not b e lie v e it and I w ish to enter an em p h atic
protest a g a in st a n y su ch aspersion. I h a v e b een
c lo sely a sso c ia te il w ith three generations in Bihar. I
w as y o u n g in 4 )ublic life, w h en others w ere old. I am
old now , w h e n oth ers are young. I h a v e been c lo se ly
w a tch in g th e m arked ch an ge w h ich h as com e over th e
w hole spirit o f th e gen eration th at is grow in g up.
w ill be an in su lt to B eh ar w hich is ju st w a k in g up to
th e rich in te lle c tu a l and spiritual heritage o f its h isto
ric past. B ih ar w h ic h h as begun to ponder on th e hoary
tradition s o f its on ce im perial greatn ess, if •a m ev ery -
(
36
)
in ch reactifinary and at-ever^j-step-retrograde m easu re
lik e th e presen t U n iv e r sity B ill be th ru st upon it on
the ground o f its supposed backw ardness. (H ear, hear)
L e t u s a ll e a rn estly press upon th e G overnm ent th a t if
a lib eralised U n iv e r sity is not to be g iv en to us, it is
m uch better for u s to be left alone for th e p resen t
w ith o u t a separate U n iv e r sity (H ear, hear). B u t aa*^^
h ave infin ite confidence in the benign sp irit o f B ritish
adm in istration ,, as th e words o f H ope and S ym p ath y
from our Im perial Sovereign Lord are s till rin g in g in *
our ears, w e are confident that, in H is M a je sty ’s ow n
province, n othin g short o f a U n iv e r sity g iv en to other
provinces, if not even a m ore liberal one, w ill b e vo u
chsafed to m ake it a» self-con tain ed province In reality.
(L oud and prolonged cheers).
Babu R ajendra Prasad, J o in t S ecreta ry o f th e
B ehar P ro v in cia l A sso c ia tio n , th en read o u t letters
received from em in en t ed u ca tio n ists lik e Sir G urudas
B anerjee, P rin cip al H eram ba Chandra M aitra and the
H on ’ble Mr, R. P. P aranjape, som e o f w h ich w ill be
found in th e A ppendix.
,
L etters reg rettin g in a b ility to attend and exp ress
in g sy m p a th y w ith th e m eetin g receiv ed from tho
foj lo w in g g e n t l ^ e n , am ongst others, w ere a ls o read
o u t :— T he H o n ’ble Mr. M. S. D as, th e H o n ’ble Mr. Braja
Sundar D as o f O rissa, th e H o n ’ble K h an B ahadur
A hm ad H u ssa in , the H o n ’ble Babu M a h esh w a r P rasad
and B. S h ish ir K um ^r M itra (on b eh a lf o f th e people
of M anl)hilm ).
( 37 )
T he J o in t S ecreta ry further added th a t he had
received in tim a tio n s th a t m eetin g s had b een h eld at the
fo llo w in g p laces, am on gst others, to protest a g ain st
th e provisions o f the P a tn a U n iv e r sity B ill. Chapra,
M uzafferpur, B hagalporo, M onghyr, G aya, Arrah,
H azaribagh, R a n c h i, P urneah, D urbhanga, P u ru lia,
^ n ia str p u r , S iw a n , Sasram , B arb, H ajipur, S itam arh i.’
R E SO L U T I O N S .
T he fo llo w in g three resolution s w ere p u t from the
ch a ir and carried.
I
T hat th is C onference offers its lo y a l hom age to
th e person and th rone o f H is M a jesty th e K ing* Em peror and fe r v e n tly prays for th e s u c c e ss of
th e arm s o f H ia, G racious M ajesty and h is A llie s in
th e presen t w a j.
II
T hat th is C onference p laces on record its sen se
o f lo ss on th e sa d , sudden and prem ature d eath of Babu
C handrasekhar P rash ad Singh, B. D., and offers jt s sin
cere con d olen ce to th e m em bers o f tjje bereaved fam ily.
(
38
)
IN
T h at th is C onference p la ces on record its se n se
o f profound sorrow a t th e death o f P an d it B ish a n N a rayan Dar, B ar-at-L aw , w ho a s a p u b licist, thinli^r
and as P resid en t o f the Indian K a tio n a l C ongress ren
dered v-aluable se r v ic e s to the cou n try and dedply sy m ;
p ath izes with* th e people o f A gra and Gudh in th e
irreparable lo ss th eir public life h a s su sta in e d in h is
death.
T he fourth resolu tion , w h ic h ran as fo llo w s, w a s
m oved by th e H on’ble Rai Bahadur D w arka N ath , B- A.,
L. L. B- o f Muzatterpore
IV
T h at th is C onference en ters its em p h atic protest
a g a in s t the p rin cip les underlyin g th e P a tn a U n iv e rsity *
B ill, and records its deliberate opinion th a t th e y are of
retrograde ch aracter and are ca lcu la ted to retard the
ed u ca tio n a l p rogress o f th e Province.
•
H e said th a t there w ere five non-official B eh arees
on the P a tn a U n iv e r sity C om m ittee. Of th em one
who w as a g r e a t
cham pion o f ed u cation w a s
no m ore,— the la te R ai B ahadur S h iv a Sanker S ah ay.
Anotjier^ member* K han B ahadur F akharuddin had
la te ly been elev a ted to a position w h ich h e so a p tly
< 39 )
Reserved. H e w a s no longer a free m an lik e h im self
but had b een officialised.* A nother g en tlem an , Mr,
N u ru l H uda, w a s n o t there on accou n t o f advancing
a ge and infirm ities. There w ere o n ly tw o on whom
th e y could la y th e ir h an d s— Mr. S. S in h a and h im se lf—
and both o f th em w ere there. T h ey m ig h t condem n
tk em if th e y lik ed , th e y m igh t p a ss a n y ju d gm en t
th e y liked, but h e assured them th a t th e y discharged
th eir d u ties to th e b est o f their a b ilities and a s co n s
cie n tio u sly a s th e y could.
I f th e y yielded on a n y
point, w h ic h th e y considered im portant, th e y did so
becau se th e y con sidered th a t com prom ise w as th e
«oul o f p o litic s. H e w a s not there b ecau se h e had
g iv e n up th e id e a s and th ough ts to w h ich h e had su b s
cribed but b eca u se th e P a tn a U n iv ersity B ill w a s one
w h ic h w as, a s introduced, different from th e sch em e
to w h ic h h e h ad appended his signature.
It w as
n eith er th e one recom m ended by th e P a tn a U n iv e r
s it y C om m ittee n o r the one prom ised by the sch o la r ly
R uler o f th e province w h en h e said th a t th e U n iv e r sity
w ou ld be on th e lin e s o f th e A llahabad U n iv e rsity .
H e w a s prepared to sa y th a t th e B ill w a s o f a retro
grade ch aracter and not calcu lated to ad vance th e edu
c a tio n a l progress o f the P rovin ce. T he R o y a l P rovin ce
w a s ushered in to e x iste n c e by th e gracious w ill and
pleasu re o f K in g G eorge. A province w h ic h w a s t^ e
birth place o f th e h isto ric u n iv ersities o f N a la n d a and
M ith ila d eserved so m eth in g better. I t w a s an iron y of
fate th at th e ir u n iv e r sity w a s one w h ich w as n o t c a l
c u la te d to a d v a n ce in th e \e a s t , in terests of* edlication.
( 40
)
H e w ould show th a t it w a s retrograde and could not
com m end it s e lf to th ose interested in th e w elfare o f
th e P rovince.
T h e speaker th en a n a ly sed and d is
cussed several provision s o f the B ill. In the p resen t
U n iv e r sitie s, h e said, th e y had an am ount o f popular
control w h ich w o u ld be w a n tin g in theirs. P op u lar
elem en t in th eir u n iv ersity w ould be o f th e w e a k e st
character. I f the u n iv ersity w as to be su ccessfu l, if it
w a s to rouse a n y en th usiasm , it w a s a b so lu tely neces->
sary th a t th e people m u st have a p oten t v o ic e in it..
T h ey w anted an effective control w h ich w a s denied
to th em in th e sch em e unfolded b y Sir S. H air. T hey
w ere th in k in g abop t their future d estin y , th e y w ere
asp irin g to Self-G overn m en t tow ards w h ic h th e y
could o n ly procoed'gradually. B u t a b eg in n in g had to
be m ade and it m u st be in education. I f th ere w a s
an y th in g in w h ich people should h a v e a v o ice, it w a s
in m atters ed u cation al. H e claim ed on b eh a lf o f h is
province a greater degree of popular control in the
proposed U n iv ersity . The R a i B ahadur sa id th a t he
w as a b eliever in th e th eory th a t the affairs o f a
u n iv e r sity m ust be in th e hands o f ed p ca tio n ists but
not in official ed u ca tio n ists alone. R a i «Bahadur P urnendu N a ra y a n S in h a, th eir Chairm an, w a s a s good
an ed u ca tio n ist a s a n y in the ed u ca tio n a l service. H e
r e lu c ta n t to b eliev e th a t there w a s no m a n fu lly
cogn iza n t o f th e resp on sib ilities o f office. There w a s
no dearth o f ed u ca tio n ists, no w a n t o f cultured people,
w ho had spent th eir liv e s in g iv in g ed u ca tio n and
train in g ta youngra*en and w ho could be a sso c ia ted w ith
( 41 )
the officials in m a n agem en t o f th e u n iv e fsity . The
speaker further rem arked th a t there w a s no -room, at
a n y rate, n ot am ple, for expan sion and d evelop m en t
under th e sch em e proposed by th e G overnm ent. A t
present th e y w ere en jo y in g certain rights and privi
leg e s and th e se rig h ts and p rivileges w h ich th e y had
bfeen con sid erin g a s in alienable w ere being ta k en
a w a y frojn th em .
W h at w ere th ose rights ? T h ey
could a t p resent sta rt a C ollege anyw jiere and th a t
W ould be affiliated. U nder th e presen t B ill th ere w ere
o n ly five p la ces fit enough to h ave m ore co lleg es. H e
belonged to o n e o f th o se charm ed and h a llo w ed p laces,
but for him it w o u ld be unfair to sa y to G aya, Chapra,
or other p la ces th a t th e y w ere n ot to h a v e C olleges
and th a t th eir boys m ust go to them b eca u se th e y
alone m ust be th e n ucleus and centre o f U n iv er sity
education. T h en at present th e y could g e t affiliation
in a n y sub ject up to a n y standard if th e y had g o t the
fund, th e sta ff and th e n ecessa ry equipm ent. H en ce' forth no am ou nt o f fun d and equipm ent w ou ld enable
them to secure affiliation o f n ew co lle g e s in other
p laces. T h a t w a s a d istin ctly retrograde a sp ect of
the B ill and th e y w ere bound to raise th eir v o ic e
a g ain st it.
•
A g a in a t p resen t there w a s great scop e for one
o f them , w ho d ev o ted his life to education to rise to a
h ig h position in th e U n iv e r sity . A n y one if h e w as
so fitted could rise to th e post o f ^ V ice-chancellor.
W h ile Lord H ard in ge m ade a bold departure fn allow -
< ^2 )
in g a non-official C hancellor and V ice-ch a n cellor in
the H indu U n iv e r sity , th e y wfere n ot allo-wed to
h ave eith er a nom inated or elected V ice-ch an cellor.
There w a s a lo n g array of scholars to sh ow th a t th e y
w ere fit to be entrusted w ith th is work. Sir G urudas
B anerjee, Sir A sh u to sh M ukerjee, Sir N a rayan Chandravarkar, Sir Subram anya Iy er, Sir P ratu l Chandra
C hatterjee and Dr. Sunder L ai w ill ever rem ain as
land-m arks in th e educational h isto ry o f the country.*
T h ey w ere m en w h o devoted th eir liv e s to th eir unlver-»
sities w ith su ch earn estn ess and zeal th a t th e y had
got th e approbation o f th e G overnm ent and th e people
alike. W ere th ere no people able enough am ong
them ? T h ey woul.d be con ten t w ith even an official
at present, ju st a s the other u n iv ersities, if th e y had
the right to h a v e a non-official w h en th e tim e cam e.
T hen the graduates in B ehar and O rissa h ad at
presen t a righ t to elect m em bers o f the S en ate. Ko
tim e w a s g iv en in th e B ill as to w h en th e y w ou ld g et
th a t right. E v en in the P atna U n iv e r sity C om m ittee '
report, 25 se a ts w ere allow ed to be, elected by the
gradu ates at o n ce;'b u t under the B ill it^could be in d e
fin itely postponed i f the C hancellor w ish ed to do so.
In th e Pj\ 1:na U n iv ersity C om m ittee it w a s d eci
ded that there w ould be a departm ent of S an sk rit S tu
d ie s and a S an sk rit College. The S ecretary of S tate
had n ot accorded h is san ction to that C ollege. H e
subm itted th at th e y w ou ld not be satisfied till th ey
had th e âm e fa c ilitie s as th e y had in B en g a l and
( 43 )
th e sam e righ ts w h ic h thîr brethren in BSngal had.
T h ey w ere backw ard in e d u c a tio n ; th e y w ere fifty
y ea rs behind o th ers in education. M odernization of
B ehar— to quote a great ed u cation ist— should be the
aim o f every p a trio tic B eharee. T he people o f B ehar
desired only o n e boon, th e boon o f h igh er education,
w id est p ossible fa c ilitie s for edu cation , a boon w h ich
.w as w el> w o rth y o f a g reat and civilized G-overnm ent under a sch o la rly ruler. T here w ere som e
w ho held p e s sim istic v ie w s about the future. T h ey
said th a t th e B ill h a v in g received th e a ssen t of
the S ecretary o f S ta te w ould n o t ui\dergo a su b stan tial
change. H e w a s an o p tim is t; h e b elieved in the
future d e stin y o f h is coun try and ‘province. H e w a s
sure there w o u ld be su b stan tial m odifications in the'
B ill and th eir u n ite d v o ice w ou ld be heard. H e had
ev e ry confidence in the L o ca l G overnm ent and the
em inent sch olar w h o w as the adm in istrative h ead of it
and w h ose so lic itu d e for their ed u cation al w elfare w as
w ell-k n ow n .
H e hoped -th e B eharee rep resen tatives in th e
Im p erial Counjcil w ould voice the people’s w ish e s and
g iv e exp ression to th eir aspiration, and w ou ld subor
dinate th eir o w n in d ivid u al opinion, if an y. H e trusted th a t th e y w o u ld m erge th eir in d iv id u a lity and give
exp ression to th e sen tim en ts and w ish es o f the people
w hom th e y w ere returned to represent. (H ear, hear).
In th e en d h e app ealed fox jpoderation and bobriety (cheers)-
(
u
)
K h a n B a h a d u r S a r fa r a i H u ssa in K h a n . (P a tn a ),
in s e c o n d in g t h e r e so lu tio n sa id ;—
M r. P resid en t and g en tlem en .— A llo w m e to s a y
a fe w w ords before I second th e resolu tion so ab ly
m oved by m y friend th e H on. R. B, D w a rk a N a th .
I t is n eed less for m e to add m uch to what_ h a s a l
read y fa lle n from h is lips and so ably sai^. I m a y ,
how ever, ta k e the lib erty of p o in tin g out th at alth ou gh
on e o f our rep resen tatives in the Im perial C ou n cil h a s
th ou g h t it fit to declare in the Im perial C ou n cil that
h e is not prepared to ca ll the P a tn a U n iv e r sity B ill
a retrograde m easifre, I do sa y w ith a ll th e e a r n e st
n e ss th a t I ca n com m and th at it is a retrograde m e a
sure. W h en th e non-official m em bers o f th e Im p erial
L e g isla tiv e C ouncil h ave by a large m a jo rity p resen
ted a m em orial to H. E. th e V icero y p rayin g in su b s
ta n ce for th e lib era lisin g and d em ocra tisin g of the
p o litic a l in stitu tio n s o f the coun try and for in trod u c
tio n o f a s m uch In d ia n elem en t in to th em a s possible,^
w h en th e In d ia n N a tio n a l C ongress and th e M u slim
L e a g u e h a v e jo in tly decided to moVe r e so lu tio n s in
th eir resp ectiv e bodies requesting th^ G overnm ent
to introduce m ore Indian elem en t in to th e In d ia C oun
cil, th e Im p erial E x ecu tiv e and L e g isla tiv e C ou n cils,
th e P ro v in cia l E x ecu tiv e and L e g isla tiv e C ouncils,
and to p lace th e lo c a l bod ies under non-official elected
C hairm en, w ou ld it bo w rong to ca ll th e P a tn a U n iv e r
s it y B ill a retrograde m easure, w h e n in stea d of the
S en a te and the S y n d ica te b eing lib era lised th e y are
( 45 )
officialised from top to toe,^ and th a t th e pow ers o f the
C hancellor sh ou ld be larger th an th ose o f th e C hancel
lors in the e x is tin g In d ian U n iversities.
A n y one
reading in th e B ill th e sta tu s g iv en to th e C h an cel
lor, V ice-C hancellor, S en a te and S y n d ica te ca n n o t
but feel and com e to th e inevitable con clu sion th a t th e
P a tn a U n iv e r sity is g o in g to be m ade a S ta te D epart
m ent to w h ich I b e g to tak e ‘serious objection as it is
aim in g at the sa p p in g o f the Indian n a tio n a l life. W ith
th ese few rem arks. I beg to form ally second th e reso
lu tion so ably m o v ed (cheers).
Babu K ali Pado Ghosh H- A.,
(R an chi) sup
ported the reso lu tio n . H e said th at the chorus of
opposition w h ich th e B ill m et in th e C ouncil, its con
dem nation by a ll th e lead ing organs in th e cou ntry and
b y the great e d u c a tio n ists to w h ich th e y had listen ed
were proof p ositiv e th a t th e B ill w as retrograde. It w a s
anam alous th a t a B ill lik e th at should be intended for
a P rovin ce w h ic h w a s created by the K in g Emperor,
i t w as founded w ith a L ieu ten a n t G overnorship in
C ouncil and it w asân en igm a th a t for it a B ill o f th a t
sort be at a ll d r ^ te d in the C ouncil. I t w a s s till more
surprising th a t it w a s m oved by Sir Sankran N air.
B ut as th e y k n ew it cam e to h im as a le g a c y , he had
nothing to do w ith it. I t cam e ill-h atch ed , it fluttered*
forth from th e d o v eco ts o f official circles (cheers).
Babu
L aksm i
H arayau
Sinha, B. L.,
further
supported the resolu tion . W h ile criticisin g the B ill
a s a retrograde m easu re, h e pointed ou t \ha*t the
( 46 )
B e lia f rep rsen tatives in th e Im perial C ou n cil had
n o t com m itted th e m s e lv ^ , a s w a s supposed b y som e
people, but had reserved th eir c riticism s o f i t for a
sub seq uen t occasion and h e w a s confident t h a t th ey
w ould g iv e forcible expression to th e public opini
on, w h e n the tim e w ould com e (cheers).
T he resolution, being put to th e v o te , Wae carried
u n a n im o u sly .
*
A t th is istage th e C onference adjom ed for lunch
and reassem bled after h a lf an hour, w h en B abu Jag a n u a th Prasad, Iff. A., B L., (M onghyr) m oved th e n ext
reso lu tio n w h ich w as as fo llo w s :—
V
“ T hat th is Conference stron gly disapproves of
m ost o f th e provisions o f the P a tn a U n iv e r sity B ill
and records its em phatic opinion th a t u n le ss th e B ill
is m odified in th e follo w in g respects, it w ill not b e,
accep tab le to the people o f th is P rov in ce :—■
(1) T he pow ers o f the Chancelloj; sh ou ld be the
sam e as th ose o f th e C hancellors o f the e x is tin g In d ian
^ U n iversities, excep t th at the V ice-C h a n cellor should
n o t be nom in ated b y him but be elected b y th e Senate.
(2) T he V ice-C h ancellor should be an honorary
officer and should be elected by th e Sen ate for a term
of y ea rs. H is ppwers should be the sam e as in the
e x is tin g U niversities.
( i1 )'
(3) "fhe S y n d ica te should c o n sist o f *the Vice'C liancellor and 15 such other m em bers, a s ’ m ay beelected by th e S en a te and the F a c u ltie s.
Thereshould be lio n om in ated m em ber o n the S y n d ic a te ,
and no preference should be g iv en to the professors of
any particular C ollege.
(4) The S e n a te should c o n sist o f not le ss th a n
•80 members, o f -whom ncft le ss than tw o-thirds should
.be elected b y graduates- and F a cu lties. '
(5) T he S e n a te should h a v e pow er to fram e Hegu lation s, add sh o u ld exercise fu ll and effectiv e control
over th e atfairs o f th e U n iv ersity . I t should also be
giv en the powdr to recognise sch o o ls and to regulate
the M atricu la tio n E x a m in a tio n .
( 6 ) T here sh o u ld be no restrictio n to th e o p en in g
of n e w C olleges w h erever there m a y be dem and for
th em or to the a ffilia tio n o f a n y C ollege in a n y subject
and to a n y standard, provided it is properly and ade. Q uately equipped.
(7) K o in stitu tio n should be disaffiliated w ithout
the concurrency o f th e S y n d ica te, th e S en a te and theL ocal G overnm ent.
(8 ) T he A c t sh o u ld also la y dow n th e term s of
office o f the V ice-C h a n cello r, th e S en ate and the S y n d i
ca te in clu d in g th e first S en ate.
(9) G raduates o f U n iv ersities w h o are residents
of th e P rovin ce sh o u ld be g iv e n an o?)tion to g et .th e m
se lv e s registered , an d th ese registered grad uates should
{ 48 )
h ave th e sa m e rights and p rivileges as th ose enjoyed
by registered graduates o f the C alcu tta U n iv ersity.
(10) T here should be fa cu lties for A rts, S cien ce,
L aw , M ed icin e, E n gineering, T echn ology, A gricltu re
and Com m erce.
(11) T he appointm ent o f the tea ch in g ‘sta ff of
th e U n iv e r sity should rest w ith th e Sen a fe, on the*
recom m en dation o f th e Syndicate.
(12) T he D iam ond J u b ilee C ollege o f M onghyr,
th e P a tn a L a w C ollege and th e D harm a S am aj S a n s
k rit C ollege o f M uzafferpore should be incorporated
in th e U n iv ersity .
H e said th a t th e resolu tion brought to a fo c u s all
th e p oin ts th e y had to consider w ith regard to th e B ill.
A fter a c lo se scru tin y o f the B ill, he, w h o had been
con n ected w ith oê of th e b est C olleges in th e P rovin ce
(T. N . J u b ilee College) for the la st 20 y e a r s,-h a d no
h esita tio n in sa y in g th a t the m easure w a s m ost re- •
trograde and reactionary. H e w ould d isc u ss, said the
speaker, som e o f the c la u se s of th e resolu tion. F irst
o f all, h e referred to th e proposed a p p oin tm en t of a
paid V ice-ch an cellor. A paid V ice-ch a n cello r, h e said,
r e a lly p u t an e'hd to a ll th e aim s and asp iration s of
th e p eople o f the province. N o reason w a s fore
sh ad ow ed in th e sta tem en t o f aim s and o b jects for this
departure from the A c t o f 1904. T he n e x t im portant
th in g .to .w h ic h th e speaker referred w a s about the
p rovision s regarding th e pow ers o f th e S en a te. The
( 49 )
S enate, h e said, h ad been reduced to. a m ere,d eb atin g
club. It w ould d isc u ss and deliberate w ith o u t k n ow
in g w heth er its d ecisio n s w ould be acceptable to the^
S yn d icate. T he p ow ers of th e Senate under the A ct
o f 1904 were v e r y w id e. In fact, th e y exercised all
th e pow ers over th e U n iv ersity . H ere a g a in n o th in g
w a s said about th e reason o f the departure from the.
A c t of 1904.
A nother retrograde feature, continu ed the speaker,
w a s th e ban im p osed perm an ently on the spread of
h igher education in B ehar. C olleges could o n ly e x is t
in som e p ecu lia rly favoured p laces and in m en tio n in g
even th e e x istin g c o lle g e s one college had b een left
out. W ithou t a llo w in g the G overnin g-B od y o f th a t
C ollege—the M on gh yr C ollege— an opportunity for
explanation , it w a s g o in g to be disaffiliated. W h y
w a s th a t lim it im p osed on th e in crease o f C olleges ?
M onghyr w as no le s s Im portant a d istrict th an others.
I f the people o f th a t d istrict could afford to m a in ta in
C ollege, w h y could n o t th e y do so ?
T he speaker y ie n referred to the p ro v isio n s about
th e standard o f %tudy to be m ain tain ed in th e different
C olleges. There w a s no reason to su p pose w h y th e
T. N . Ju b ilee C o lleg e w ith w h ich , as ho had pointed
out, he had been con nected , should n ot rise to th e
standard o f te a c h in g H onours. To s a y th a t th e ex
tern al C olleges sh o u ld tea ch o n ly t h e P a ss Course
and up to I. Sc., w a s t o put a brake o n th e in cr ea se
o f high er ed u cation .
*
• *
•
4
(
I
50 )
The*re 9 oIution w h ich he w a s m ovin g dealt lucidly*
with, th e variou s p o in ts at issu e and th e p o in ts w here
th e p resen t B ill differed from the A c t o f 1904. T he
reso lu tio n em bodied the m o st em p h atic part o f the
d a y ’s p roceeding. T he speaker la s t ly referred to th e
ab sen ce o f a ll rights and p riv ileg es o f th e graduates.
I t had certa in ly b een said in the B ill, he explained,
th a t th e C hancellor m a y allow th em to elept m em bers
o n th e S e n a te , but w h a t w as w a n ted w a s th a t th e y
sh ou ld h a v e th e sam e rig h ts as the g ra d u a tes under
th e oth er U n iv ersities. (Cheersh
]
B abu G aneslfD utta Sinha, B B-, (P atn a) m second
in g th e resolu tion, said th a t before sep a ra tio n Behar
and B e n g a l w ere under one H ig h Court and one
U n iv ersity . B en g a l w an ted union. T h ey w a n ted s e
paration. B en g a l w a s u n ited and th e y w ere separated.
T h ey had a G overnm ent o f th e sam e ty p e a s B en gal
had. T h ey h ad a Chartered H ig h Court for w h ich
P u n ja b w a s s till clam ouring. W h a t about th e U n i
v e r sity ? W as it becom in g o f the h a n d th a t gav(?
th em all th ose p rivileges to g iv e U iem th a t inferior ,
U n iv e r s ity a g a in st w h ich there was* a p rotest. T he
best course for the G overnm ent, said th e speaker,
• w a s to accep^the altera tio n s proposed and to r e ctify
th e w ron g. L e t th em consid er th e q u estion a s
la w y e r s, said th e speaker. W h en a n e w le g isla tio n
w a s m ade, th e rule w a s th a t a ll e x is tin g rights
werQ p r e se r v e d , u n le ss there w ere sp e c ia l reason s
for ta k in g th em aw ay. W a s th ere a n y sp ecia l reason
4
( 51 )
•
for ta k in g a w a y th e ir rights ? A t present th e y w ere
governed under th e A c t o f 1904. T here w a s an other
A ct after th a t— th e H in d u U n iv e r sity A ct, and by a
com parison it w o u ld be found th a t there w as a m arked
im provem ent in th e la tter over th e form er. U nder th e
H indu U n iv e r sity A c t certain p rivileges w ere conferred
upon th e H in d u s o f all India, B eh ar w a s o n ly a part
• o f India and w ere th e y not th en en titled to th e sam e
privileges ? T he sp ea k er then pointed o lit th a t edu
cation in B ehar w a s in th e proportion o f 1 to 7 in
Bongal. B en g a l h ad 51 C olleges w h ile B eh ar had 7
o f w h ich one w a s b e in g abolished. The area o f B ehar
b eing larger th a n B en g a l, p op u lation a lm o st equal,
the number o f stu d e n ts in crea sin g ev ery d a y and the
num ber o f e x istin g co lleg es b eing in su fficien t, h ow
w a s it possible th a t th e B ill w ou ld increase ed u ca tion ?
The G-ovem m ent, con clu d ed th e speaker, w a s strain
in g every nerve to m e e t th e requirem ents o f the war
and th e fact th a t i t had introduced th e B ill during
th a t tim e o f stress sh o w ed th a t the G overnm ent w as
, an xiou s t o m eet th e w is h e s of th e people. (Cheers).
Mr. A th ar S u ssa iu , BB. L-, B a r-a t-la w ,(S a ssa ram, in supp ortin g sa id th a t it w a s true th e y w a n ted a
U n iv er sity but o f a superior type. T h ey fvanted it not
b ecau se the w ord u n iv e r sity had a sp ecia l charm or
b ecau se o f th e p a la tia l buildings. B ut th e y w anted
a greater elem en t o f popular control. T h ey did feel,
said the speaker, th a t th e C alcutta U n iv e r sity was*not
up to th e m ark. B u t to fa ste n on th e a i a U n iv e rsity ,
(
52 )
excIaim Sd Mr. H u ssa in , jvhich w a s n o t e y e n equal
to on& th e y w ere relin q u ish in g w a s a prop osition to
w h ic h no B eharee could a ssen t. I t sh ow ed a w a n t
o f con fidence in th e people by th e G overnm ent. The
tra d itio n s o f Behar, pointed out th e speaker, show ed
th a t B eh a r deserved a better th in g . H e h oped th e
n on-official m em bers o f the Im perial CouHcil w ould
offer an u n ited opposition to th e B ill and th a t the,
m ista k e o f t]ie P ress A ct w ould not be repeated. (Cheers.)
Babu Soraahi Charan M ittrai B' L., ( P a t n a \ further
supported the resolution. H e observed th a t th e tw o most
p ern iciou s provisions o f the b ill w ere w ith regard to
affiliation and disaffiliation. The ed u cation al area
w a s restricted ta five tow n s. E ven if th e lo c a l G overn
m en t, sa id the speaker, desired to start a c o lle g e at a
p la ce n o t m entioned in the B ill, th e y w o u ld n o t be able
to do so. R epresen tation s to and correspondence w ith the
G overnm ent o f In d ia w ould ta k e a ll th e term of office
o f th e L ieutenant-G overnor. T h e sp eaker also referred
to another perniciou s feature of th e B ill— th a t ab(fUt
th e disenfran chisem ent of th e graduates. (Cheers), *
B abu B aid y n a th N arayan Siaha, M. A . M. L.
(P a tn a ) in further supporting the B ill said th a t th e y had
b een asked, to be m oderate. B u t i f th e y read the
B ill, th e y w ou ld becom e furious, it w o u ld lead them
fu rio u sly to think. W as th ere a n y provision o f th e
B ill w h ich w a s not retrograde ? T h e proposed m ea
sure did not ^ iv e them a U n iv e r sity .
T h ey could
■ nol: chll it a U niversity. I t did n o t n eed spectacles,
I
( 55 )
pointed out the speaker, to gh ow th a t the Bill*had been
ill-hatched, ill-co o k ed and ill-served. H e w a s not
goin g, he said, to attribute m otives. F ar be it from
him to im pute m o tiv e s to th e G overnm ent. B u t the
resu lts w ere p aten t. H ow ever good the in ten tio n s of
th e fram ers o f th e B ill the resu lt o f th e B ill w ould be
to ^ d P b d u e a tio n in th e province. It behoved them to
oppose it. -The B ill w as charged w ith im m en se poten
tia litie s and th e y ow ed it not o n ly to th eiq selv es but to
posterity to oppose it. H e could not b eliev e, continued
th e speaker, th a t a sy m p a th etic ruler lik e Sir Edw ard
G ait w as respon sib le for the B ill. H e could not also
b elieve that Sir H arcou rt Butler, the author of the H indu
U n iv e r sity B ill, w a s th e author o f th e P a tn a B ill. W h y
should the stu rd y lo y a l people o f B ih ar be punished
lik e that. The sp eak er th en alluded to the absence o f
a ll franch ise o f th e graduates. I t w a s said, h e pointed
out, th a t in m atters o f education only experts w ere re
quired. H e p rotested a g a in st th at rem ark. I n th e
• U n iv er sitie s o f L eed s etc. th e y w ould find th a t th e
corporations and^the un ion s w ere m o stly represented
and not o n ly t^ e graduates. In 1904 it w a s adm itted
by th a t reactionary pro-consul, exp lain ed th e speaker,
that, the gradu ates sh ou ld h a v e a hand in th e U n iv er
sity. B u t th e presen t B ill d isenfran ch ised th e gradu
ates, the m o st e n lig h te n e d c la ss of th e population.
T h ey the grad uates o f th e C alcu tta U n iv e r sity
could elect m em bers on th e S enate o f th e Cal
cu tta U n iv ersity but n ot on th e Seh ate o f th eir ow n
( 54 )
U n iv e r sity . T h ey w a n ted a U n iv e r sity b cca n se th a t
w ou ld be nearer hom e and seco n d ly because th e people
w ou ld h a v e an effective control over it. N o n e o f these
criteria w ere satisfied b y th e B ill and u n le ss their
dem an d s w ere conceded th e y w ou ld n o t h a v e a U n i
v ersity a t all. (Cheers.)
B abu A iik sh a n S in g h (M uzafferpur) also • sfroingiy
supported th e resolu tion and concluded h is sp eech by
sa y in g th a t th e y had com m itted no sin and th a t the
U n iv e r sity o f th a t type should not be th ru st upon ah
u n w illin g people. iCheers.)
JSabn Brajal*Jshore Prasad, (D arbhanga) m oved
th e n e x t resolution w h ich ran as fo llo w s :—
VI
T h a t th is C onference is o f opinion th a t it is
a b so lu tely n ecessa ry th a t th e first s e t o f r eg u la tio n s
sh ou ld be fram ed by th e S e n a te .
,
H e said th a t he b elieved m ost o f th em m u st h ave
read th e A c t o f 1904. T h ey w ould find there and in the
presen t B ill, he explained, co n sta n t referen ces to regu
la tio n s. M an y im portant m atters h ad b een le ft to be
d e a lt w ith by th e R eg u la tio n s. S u ch im p o rta n t m atters
as th e duration of term s o f office o f the S y n d ica te and
th e S en a te, the co n stitu tio n , pow ers and d u ties of the
F a c u ltie s, the appoin tm en t o f the officers o f th e U n iver
s it y ; th e , appoinU nent and fu n ctio n s o f govern in g
(
55 )
bodies of th e C olleges, th e coaferraen t o f d e ^ e e s and
th eir w ith d raw al, affiliation o f C olleges and its w ith
draw al etc. had been left to be d ea lt w ith by th e R egu
lation s. T h ese m u st be done by a body w h ic h had an
adequate m easure o f popular elem en t in it. H e
though^ there could be no q u estion th a t th e regu lations
s h o u ld b ^ fram ed b y th e S enate. The L o c a l G overn
m en t w a s to fram e th e regu lations. B u t the present
B ill w a s a sp ecim en from w h ich th e y ojight to tak e
le'sson. The S en a te w as em pow ered, poin ted o u t th e
speaker, to am end or repeal or to m ake n e w reg u la
tio n s. B u t did th e y th in k , asked th e speaker, th a t once
th e regu la tio n s w ere fram ed th e y cou ld be e a s ily repeal
ed. M oreover in su c h c a se s previous* sa n ctio n o f L ocal
G overnm ent w a s n e c e ssa r y . H e therefore th ou gh t
th a t th e first se t o f r eg u la tio n s should be fram ed by the
S en a te. (Cheers).
E a i B ahadur Gogi K rishna (H azaribagh) support
ed the resolution.
M oulvi M oham ad Ism ail (Chapra) a lso supported
th e reso lu tio n a n d 'it w a s carried u n an im ously.
Babu B a id y a n a th N a ra y a u Sinha, III- A-, Iff. L-,
m oved th e fo llo w in g resolu tion :—
YU
(a)
T hat in th e op inion o f th^s conference the
first S yn d icate should not be at a ll nam ed in tixe A ct.
( 56 )
(b) * T hat o n iy th e nom inated m em bers o f the
first S’e n ate be nam ed in th e A ct, and the rest of its
m em bers be elected in accordance w ith tra n sitory regu
la tio n s to be con tained in the A ct, b y registered gra
d u a tes, and nom inated m em bers o f th e S en ate nam ed
in th e A ct.
(c) T h at the first Sen ate should hold office for
su c h period as m a y be provided for in th e A ct, and
. sh o u ld ceas’e to hold office after th e first R eg u la tio n s
h a v e been fram ed.
• (d) That th e L ocal G overnm ent be em powered
to extend the period o f the oflice o f the 1 st S en ate for
the purpose o f fram in g the first regu lation s to su ch tim e
a s it m a y th ink necessary.
(e) T hat th e C alcu tta U n iv e r sity sh ou ld not
c e a se to h ave jurisd iction over th e C olleges o f th e Pro
v in ce so lo n g as the 1st regu lation s are n o t fram ed and
th e sen a te under them be not co n stitu ted .
t
I
A
|
•
*
i
If) T hat th e 1 st S yn d icate be co n stitu ted under
the 1st regu lation s by S en ate and th e fa c u ltie s form ed ^
under th e 1st regu lation s.
•
H e said th a t th e first sen a te w a s to be nam ed
in the act* its e lf and th e y did not know how
lon g it w ould exist. T hey k n ew th a t th e P atn a U n i
v e r sity C om m ittee w a s not properly co n stitu ted . The
people had not sufficient o cca sio n to la y th eir v ie w s
before it. I f th^ regu lation s w ere drafted by a n om i
nated Senate, qîd th e speaker, w h a t did th e y know
i
( 57 )
but th a t it m igh t be w orse th a n th o se drafted b y the
officials. I t w a s therefore th a t, th e y said, the sen ate
should be regu larly co n stitu ted by nam ing o n ly the
nom in ated m em bers in th e A c t and by providing for
electio n o f th e rest, in accordance w ith tran sitory regul ation s to be co n ta in ed in th e A ct, b y the nom inated
m en ifers and th e registered graduates. T he speaker
further referred to th e provision w h ic h nam ed th e first
S yn d ica te in th e A ct. The S y n d ica te w as an E x ecu tiv e
body o f th e S en a te and i f it w a s nam ed in th e A ct its e lf
it w ou ld n o t be so. T h is provision, th e speak er th ought,
w a s unprecedented. T hey d e sir e ^ th a t th e first S y n d i
ca te should be created by th e S en ate. (Cheers.)
Babu R ajendra Prasad M. A., M. L. seconded th e
resolu tion and it w a s carried u n an im ou sly,
Babu S hri K rishna Prasad B. L. (M onghyr) th en
m oved, th e fo llo w in g r e so lu tio n :—
YIH
“ T hat th is conference m ost resp ectfu lly subm its
th a t if the m od ifications em bodied in resolu tion s V and
V I are n ot accep ted b y th e G overnntont, th e p eo p le of
th e province w ill prefer tq rem ain w ith o u t a separate
U n iv e r sity .”
H e said th a t it w as n ecessa ry for th em to go into
the p ast h isto ry o f th e B ill. T heSnover o f the fourth
( 58 )
resolu tio n Iftid in strong, m ost em p h atic and unequivocal
term s, not at all sober, condem ned the v ery principles
o f th .0 B ill w h ich w a s after all to som e ex te n t after th e
P a tn a U n iv ersity C om m ittee R eport. W h en th e Pro
v in ce w as separated, con tinu ed th e speaker, th e y n eed
ed a H ig h Court and a U n iv ersity . U n fortu n ate^ t h e ,
speaker w en t on, in th e extraordinary S essio n o f th e
B eh ar P ro v in cia l C onference w h ich th e y con vened for
dem anding the<p, th e y w ere not sober en o u gh to la y
dow n the ex a ct typ e o f the U n iv e r sity w h ic h th e y
w anted. T h at w a s th eir first m istake. The n e x t m is
tak e, said th e speaker, w a s m ade by the B eh aree m em
bers on th e P a tn a U n iv e r sity C om m ittee in sile n tly
y ield in g to th e v ie w s o f th e m ajority. Sir S ankaran
N a ir had said, contiau cd th e speaker, that th e B ill had
b een im proved in th e lig h t o f the criticism s m ade in
the cou n try over th e R eport o f th e C om m ittee. U n
fortu n ately the B ill had not been im proved to m eet the
w ish e s of th e B eh arees. T h e y h ad d iscu ssed th e U n i
v e r sity q u estion a t tw o o f th eir C onferences, first at
the B eh ar E d u cation al C onference apd a g a in at th e
B ankipur se ssio n of th e B eh ar P ro v in cia l C onference.
T h ey had stron gly condem ned th e attitud e o f th e m em
bers o f th e U n iv e r sity C om m ittee and their report.
Tfiey w ere n o t g iv e n the le a s t consideration. So the
n ext m ista k e, the speaker observed, had been com m itt
ed by th o se w ho w ere exp ected to k now better. T hey
m ust te ll the G overnm ent, proceeded th e speaker, in
em phattc <erm s wîat th e y w anted and should not
(
59
)
g iv e lo o m for m isunderstanding. T h ey -TOintod the
G overnm ent to realise th e position as th ey /esv lised it.
T he sp eaker th e n added th a t th e y w ere con ten t
w ith th e p resen t U n iv e r sity , and th e y w ould go w ith
o u t a U n iv e r sity u n le ss th e BUI w a s m odified in the
lig h t o f th eir su g g e stio n s. I t w a s no u se m in cin g
ihattejss, th e y sh o u ld be clear, resp ectfu l but em phatic.
T h ey did n o t w a n t o n ly m inor ch a n g es in the
B ill, but a w h o le sa le alteration in the prijiciples, under
ly in g it (Cheers).
Babu S an t Prasad, B. L. (B ankipur) seconded the
resolu tio n .
Babu Gaya Prasad, B. L. (M uzufferpore) and Babu
Madho S in gh , B. L. (Chupra) also supported th e reso
lution.
Babu N irsu N a rayan Sinha M. A ., B. L., sup
ported the reso lu tio n and said th a t th e y should
s a y to the G overnm ent th a t u n less th e y g a v e them ,
all th a t th e y w a n ted th e y w ould s a y “ wo thank
' you for your good in te n tio n s and good w is h e s but
w e w ill n ot h a v e j:hat U n iv e r sity .” (Cheers).
Pandit R aqinaraiu Choubay B. L., (A rrah) said th a t
u n less th e m odification s em bodied in R eso lu tio n s V and
V I wore accep ted in th eir en tirety th e y w ou ld n o t have
the proposed U n iv ersity . I t w as not* a q u estion o f
acquiring a n y n ew rig h ts th a t th e y could agree to a n y
com prom ise. I t concerned rights w h ich th e y had
been en jo y in g so far and as su ch no com prom iso
w ould be acceptable to them . (Cheeri),
. •
(
eo
)
T he resolu tion w as further supported by B abu
Suraj N a ra y a n K um ar (B* L., B hagalpore), Babu
A n an d i P rasad B. L. (Bihar) and M oulvi M oham ad
H a s s a n J a n M . A ., B. L. {Darbhanga'.
T h e resolution, b ein g put to the vote, w a s carried
u n a n im o u sly ,
Babu K u lw an ta Sahay B. L. m oved th e n ex t r e s o -,
lu tio n w h ic h w as as follow s:—
IX
T h at th is Conference requests th e non-official
m em bers o f the Im perial L eg isla tiv e C ounoil to oppose
the reference o f the P atna U n iv ersity B ill to a S elect
C om m ittee and also to oppose it a t sub sequ ent stages,
i f n ecessa ry u n less th e G overnm ent an n o u n ce at the
tim e o f m akin g th e m otion of reference to S e le c t Com- ^
m itte e th a t th e y are prepared to m ake m odification on
th e lin e s indicated in th e above resolu tio n s.
\
•
H e said the n ex t sta g e o f th e B ill w ould be its
reference to th e S e le c t C om m ittee. T h ey had ex a m in
ed th e provisions o f the B ill and had proposed altera
tio n s. Supposing the alteration s w ere n o t m ade in
th e B ill, the resolution declared th a t the B ill be not
referred to th e S e le c t C om m ittee. I t h ad been said,
th e Speaker obsbrved, th a t no con ten tiou s m easure
( 61 )
w ould be ta k en up at th e present tim e 'b ut if th e
a ltera tio n s w ere not m ade, th e sp eak er subm itted,
th e B ill w o u ld becom e h ig h ly co n ten tion s. T h ey
w an ted th e non-official M em bers o f th e Im perial
C ouncil to oppose the reference o f th e B ill to th e S elect
C om m ittee u n le ss th e m odifications w ere effected.
'T h e y ‘did not, th e speaker explain ed, restrict th eir
p rayer to th e B ahar m em bers alone. I t w a s a m easure
w h ich affected th e w h ole country, Jt w a s the thin
end o f the w ed g e and therefore for th e purposes of th is
A c{ th e y c o n stitu te d all th e non-oflScial M em bers of
th e C ouncil as th eir representatives. (Cheers.)
T he H on’ble M onlvi N urul H ussain B. L. (Patna)
seconded th e resolu tion . H e to o k th is opportunity to
exp la in th a t th e sp eech es o f th e B eharee M em bers in
th e Im p erial C ouncil had been entirely m isunderstood.
H e had d iscu ssed the provisions o f th e B ill w ith one
o f th em and he had found him stron gly opposed to* th e
B ill. H e (the m em ber), the speaker continued, had
b een stu d y in g th e B ill and the literatu re on it and
been c o lle c tin g m a teria ls to equip h im self. The other
M em ber a lso, sa id th e speaker, w a s d oin g h is b est in
c o lle c tin g opinions. (Cheers).
Babu A tu l K rish n a E a y M. A . B. L. in supporting
th e reso lu tio n said th a t th e y im plored th e n on -official
m em bers o f th e Im perial C ouncil to com e to th eir aid.
T h e y requested th e representatives o f a ll th e P ro v in ces,
B e n g a l, B om bay, M adras, U . P. etc., to sta n d shoulder
to sh ould er and to opp ose th e B ill a l every slep . (Cheers).
( 62 )
Khai^ Bahadur Sarfaraz Hussaiu K han (P atn a
C ity) m oved :—
X
T h a t th is C onference requests th e S ecreta ries of
th e In d ia n N a tio n a l C ongress and th e A ll In d ia
M uslim L e a g u e to p lace th e P a tn a U n iv e r sity .B ill
before th e N a tio n a l C ongress and th e M u slim L ea g u e
resp ectiv ely for th eir consideration and for an eipre-*
ssion o f th eir v tew s on it s provisions.
Babu K am gopal Siug-h Choudhury, B. L. (P atna),
seconded the resolution and it w as carried.
T he follow ing^ -esolution w a s put from th e Chair
and c a r r ie d :—
XI
T h at cop ies o f th e s e reso lu tio n s be sen t to
th e S ecretary o f S ta te for India, th e G overnm ent o f
In d ia, th e L o ca l G overnm ent and the M em bers o f th e
Im perial L e g isla tiv e C ouncil.
T h e 12th 13th and 14th resoluticm s related to the
p resen t ad m in istration o f th e P a tn a C olltge.
T he fifteen th resolu tion , w h ic h w a s as f o llo w s ;
w a s m oved from th e ch air and carried u n a n im o u sly ,
XV
T h at th is C onference exp resses its disappoint
m ent a t the d ecisio h of th e G overnm ent not to in clu d e
( 63 )
a S a n s k rit College a n d a n A rabic CoIIegG a t P a tn a in
th e schem e of th e U n iv e rsity and urg es upon th e Gov
e rn m e n t th e d esira b ility of estab lish in g sucH Colleges
if a U n iv ersity is established.
M r. S achcbidananda Sinha proposed th e vote o f
th a n k s to th e chair. H e said th a t th e proposing of
vote of th a n k s a t th e end of a C onference h a d becom e
a co n v en tio n al affair. H e h a d done i t so m an y tim es
’t h a t h e called h im self P roposer G en eral of vote of
.th a n k s. B u t h e a s su re d them th a t th e 'v o te of th a n k s,
h e w as proposing, w as n o t a t all conventional b u t m ost
h e a rty . T h e ad d ress w hich th ey h ea rd w as ad m ira
ble in se n tim e n t a n d adm irable in (fhoice of expression.
T h e ad d ress w h ich co n tain ed valuable q u o tatio n s from
re p o rts an d books w hich w ere n o t a v a ila b le to th e
public, fo r in sta n c e , th e rep o rt of th e H a ld a n e Com m is
sion in L ondon a n d from th e G erm an book b y P au lsen
w ould form a v a lu ab le re p erto ry in th is controversy.
T h e P re s id e n ts h ip of th e R ai B ah ad u r w ould bo a
, la n d m a rk in th e h is to ry of political a g ita tio n in th e
I p ro vin ce a s th e ir dom iciled B engalee b re th re n w ere a t
one w ith th em in th e C onference. T hese people w ere
a b ra n c h of th e g re a t B engalee race w ho w ere perhaps
th e m o st ad v an ced in th e country. T he sp eak er w as
n o t ash am ed of th e p a rt h e h ad taken*in th e a g ita tio n
fo r th e se p a ra tio n of B ehar, b u t he w as g lad to see
th a t th e d a y h a d com e w hen a m em ber of th e dom iciled
c o m m u n ity w as presiding over th e B e h a r P ro v in cial
C onference an d g u id in g its deliberations. (Clêejs.)
( 64 )
R a i Bahadur D w arka N a th in secon ding m ade a
hum ourous and a h ig h ly iifterestin g speech in Urdu,
w h ic h ^ a s g r e a tly appreciated, and received w ith
roars o f laughter.
T h e P resid en t w a s v isib ly m oved w h en h e rose
to respond to th e vote o f thanks. H e said h e w as
overw helm ed w ith profound feelin g s o f g ra titu d e at
th e k ind sen tim en ts exp ressed by h is friends, M r. S.
S in h a and R ai B ahadur D w arka N ath . H e rem em ber
ed the d ays w fien h e w a s y o u n g in public life and had*
th e zeal and en th u sia sm w h ich th e y had to-day. H e
rem em bered, h e said, th e day w h en Mr. H u m e cam e
to B ankipore to ma'ke it a centre o f th e C ongress and
ho a lo n g w ith his^ friends, all o f w hom w ere no more
ex cep tin g R a i B ahadur G ajadhar P rasad —w h o also
w a s to o old for public life —b ecam e one o f h is first
‘ c h e la s.’ H e rem em bered w h en th e y had to pass
through an xious tim e s and th ey had to train B ih a r in
C ongress work. H e th en becam e a G overnm ent p lea
der and had to g iv e up p o litics and h ad to lim it h is
a c tiv itie s to ed ucation, industry and agriculture.
N o w exclaim ed th e P residen t in a p a th etic ton e,
‘ I am free but I am perhaps too old. (N o. N o.)
P erh a p s I c a n not com m and the zea l and en th u siasm
w h ic h I could p reviou sly, but I w ould g iv e m y all to
B eh ar till the end o f m y life .” (Cheers).
T he P residen t th en declared th a t th e conference
w a s dissolved.
( 65 )
A P P E N D IX A.
-:o:-
. RESOLUTIOiNS
ON THE
P A T N A UNIVERSITY BILL.
- : 0 :-
IV .
•
T h at th is C onference enters it§ em p h a tic protest
a g a in st th e p rinciples u n d erlyin g th e P a tn a
U n iv e r s ity B ill, and records its d elib erate opi
nion th a t t h e y are o f a retrograde ch aracter and
are c a lc u la te d to retard th e ed u cation al pro
gress o f th e P rovin ce.
Proposed by :— T he H o n ’ble R a i B ah adu r B abu
D w arka N a th (MuzafFerpur).
•
Secon ded b y :— K h a n B ahad ur N a w a b Sarfaraz
H u sa in K han (!^ n k ip o re).
Supported b y :— B abu K a lip a d a G h osh , M . A.
B . L. (R anchi).
B abu L a k sh m i N a ra y a n Singh
B. L . (Bankipjjro).
(
V.
66 )
T h at th is C onference stro n g ly disapproves o f m ost
o f th e p rovisions o f th e P a tn a U n iv e r sity B ill
£^nd records its emp'katic opinion th a t u n le s s
th e B ill is m odified in th e fo llo w in g resp ects,
i t w ill not be acceptable t o th e p eop le o f th is
P r o v in c e :—
(1)
T he pow ers o f the C h ancellor sh o u ld be th e
sam e as th ose o f th e C hancellor o f th e e x
is tin g In d ian U n iv ersities, ex cep t th a t th e
V ice-C han cellor should n ot be nom in ated
by h im but be elected by th e Sen ate.
(2)
T he V ice-C h ancellor should be an honorary
officer and should be elected by th e Senate
for a term o f years. H is p ow ers sh ou ld be
th e sarAe as in th e e x istin g U n iv e r sitie s.
(3)
T h e S y n d ica te should Consist o f th e V iceC hancellor and 15 su ch other m em bers, as
m nv be elf*'’'.;d by th e S en a te an d the
F a c u ltie s. There should be no n o m in a ted
m em ber on th e S yn d ica te, and no p r efe r-,
en ce should be g iv en to the p rofessors of
a n y particular C ollege.
(4)
T he S en ate should c o n sist o f n ot le s s than
80 m em bers, o f w hom n o t le ss th a n tw othirds should be elected by g ra d u ates and
F a cu lties.
(5)
T h e S enate should h a v e pow er to fram e
R eg u la tio n s, and should ex ercise fu ll and
•
I
( 67 )
effectiv e contijsl over th e affafVs o f the
U n iv e r sity . I t should a lso be g iv en th e
pow er to recogn ise sch ools and to regu late
th e M atriculation E xam in ation.
( 6 ) T here sh o u ld bo no restriction to th e opening
o f n o w C olleges w herever there m a y be
d em an d for th em , or to the affiliation of
•a n y C ollege in a n y subject and to any
standard, provided it is properly and ade
q u a te ly equipped.
(7)
ITo in stitu tio n should be disaffiliated w ith o u t
th e con cu rren ce o f the S y n d ica te, th e
S e n a te and the L o ca l G overnm ent.
18)
T he A c t sh ou ld also la y down th e term s of
office o f th e V ice-C hancellor, th e S en ate
and th e S y n d ica te in clu d in g th e first
S e n a te .
(9)
G raduates o f U n iv e r sitie s who are re sid en ts
o f the P ro v in ce should be g iv e n an option
to g e t tlie m se lv e s registered, and th ese regis
tered g ra d u a tes should h ave th e sa m e righ ts
and p riv ileg es as th o se enjoyed by the
registered grad u ates o f the C a lcu tta U n i
v ersity .
(10)
T here sh o u ld be F a c u ltie s for A rts. S cien ce,
L a w , M ed icin e, E n gineerin g, T ech n ology,
A g ricu ltu re and C om m erce.|
*
*
/ '
9
(
(1 1 )
68
)
y h e appoin tm en t o f the te a c h in g sta ff o f tho
U n iv e r s ity shou*Id rest w ith th e S en a te
on the recom m endation o f the S y n d ica te.
(12)
T h e D iam on d J u b ilee C ollege o f M onghyr»
th e P a tn a L aw C ollege and th e D harm a
Sam aj Sansk irt C ollege o f MuzafFcrpore
sh o u ld be incorporated in th e U n iv e r sity .'
Proposed b y ; — Babu J a gan n ath P rasad M.
,
B. L. (M onghyr).
S econ ded b y ;— B abu Ganesh. D u tt S in gh , B . L.
(Bankipore).
Supported by*:— Mr. A thar H u ssa in B, A . B. L.
B ar-at-L aw (Saseram b
„
^
„
„
V I.
Babu Soroshi C haran
(Bankipore).
M itra, B. L.
B abu B aiu yan ath N a r a y a n S in h a,
M. A ., M. L. (Bankipore).
Babu A rik sh an Sinha, (M uzafferpore).
T hat th is C onference is o f opinion th a t it is abso-*
lu te ly n e c e ssa r y th a t the firs^ se t o f reg u la tio n s
should be fram ed by the Senate*
Proposed b y :—Babu B rajakishore P ra sad , M. A.
•
B. L ., (D arbhanga).
Secon ded by ;— R a i B ahadur G op ikrisbna, B. L.,
(Hazaribagh).
Supported by ;—M ou lvi Md. Isn \a il, B. L. (Cha• *
j
pra).
•
\
•
( 69
V II.
)
(u) T hat in th e opinion o f th is C onference the
first S y n d ica te should not be nam ed in
th e A ct.
(b) T hat o n ly th e nom in ated m em bers o f the first.
S e n a te be nam ed in th e A ct, th e rest o f its
^
m em bers be elected in accordance w ith
tra n sito ry R eg u la tio n s to be con tain ed in
th e A c t b y R egistered gradu ates and n o m i
n a te d m em bers of th e S en a te nam ed in the
A ct.
’
i
(c) T h a t th e first S en ate shj)uld h old office for
su ch period as m a y be provided for in the
A c t, and should cease* to hold office after
th e first R eg u la tio n s h ave been fram ed.
(d) T h a t th e L ocal G overnm ent be em pow ered
to ex ten d the period o f th e office o f th e first
S en a te for the purpose o f fram ing th e first
R e g u la tio n s to su ch tim e a s it m a y th in k
n e c e ssa r y .
•
T h at th e C alcu tta U n iv e r sity sh ou ld not
câse to h a v e jurisd iction over the C o lleges
o f th e P ro v in ce so lo n g as th e first R e g u la
tio n s are n ot fram ed and IJhe S en a te under
th em not con stituted.
( / ) T h a t the first S y n d ica te be con stitu ted
under th e first R eg u la tio n s by electio n by
th e S en a te and th e F a m ilties foTinSd under
th e first R eg u la tio n s. "
•
’
r
t
(
70
)
P roposed b y :— B abu B aid y a n a tb N a r a y a n S in b a,
M . A ., M. L.
S econ d ed b y :— B abu R ajendra
M . L.
V III.
P rasad,
M . A.,
T h a t th is C onference m ost respectfuB y subm its
th a t if th e m odifications em bodied in Reso'lu tio n s N o. V . V I and V I I are n ot accep ted
by th e G overnm ent, the people o f th e pro-*
vInce* w ill prefer to rem ain w ith o u t a sep a -.
rate U n iv e r sity .
P roposed b y :— Babu Sri K rishn a P rasad, B. L .,
(M onghyr.)
Reconded by; “ Babu Sant P rasad , B. L., (B an k ipore.)
Supported by :— Babu G aya Prasad, B. L ., (M uzufferpore.)
B abu M adho
S in g h ,
B. L.,
(Chapra.)
P a n d it R am n arayan Choubey,
B. L., (Arrah.)
.
B abu S u rya hfarayan K um ar,
B. L., (B hagaipore.)
B abu K a ila s P a ti, B. L ., (G aya.)
M ou lvi Md. H a sa n J a n , M. A.,
B. L., (Uarbhanga.)
•
B abu N irsu N a ra y a n S in h a,
M. A ., B. L ., (B ankipore.)
Babu A n a n d i P rasad , B. L.,
(Behar.)
,
I
'
%
*
(
n
)
•
IX .
'
T h at th is C onference requ ests th e nofi-official
m em bers o f th e Im perial L e g isla tiv e C ouncil
to oppose th e referen ce o f the P a tn a U n iv e r sity
B ill to a S e le c t C om m ittee, u n less the G overn
m en t an n o u n ce at th e tim e o f m a k in g the
m o tio n o f referen ce to S elect C om m ittee th a t
th e y are prepared to m ake m odification on the
lin e s in d ica ted in th e above resolu tion s and
a lso to oppose it a t subsequent sta g es, if n e
cessa ry .
Proposed b y :— Babu
K u lw a n t
(Bankipore.)
Sahay
B. L.,
S econ ded b y :— The H on’ble M. N oorul
B. L.
H asan ,
Supported b y :— Babu A tu lk rish n a R ay, M. A.,
B . L.
T h at th is C onference req uests the S ecretaries of
th e In d ian N a tio n a l C ongress and th e A ll-In d ia
M u slim L e a g u e to place the P a tn a U n iv ersity
B ill before t h e N a tio n a l C ongress and th e
M u slim L e a g u e resp ectiv ely for th eir consider
a tio n and for an exp ression o f their v ie w s oit
its provisions.
Proposed by :— K h a n B ahadur Sarfaraz H u ssa in
K han (P atna.)
Seconded b y :— Babu R am goual S in gli
dhury B . L. (P atna.)
Chou-
( 72 )
X I.
Thai? co p ies o f th ese resolu tion s be sent to th e
S e creta ry o f S ta te for In d ia, th e G overn m en t
o f In d ia , th e L o c a l G overnm ent and th e m em bers o f th e Im perial L e g isla tiv e C ouncil.
(P u t from th e Chair.)
*,
'
r
XV.
T h a t th is C onference ex p resses its d isap p oin tm en t a t th e decision o f the G o v ern m en t n o t
to inclijd e a Sanskrit C ollege and an A rabic
C o lleg e a t P a tn a in the sch em e o f th e U n iv e r
sity and urges upon the G overnm ent th e desir
a b ility o f egtab lishing such C olleges i f a U n i
v e r sity is establish ed .
•
•
i
r
( 73 )
A P P E N D IX B.
. / h OTES OH THE PATHA HHIYERSITY BILL
BY
S ir G O O R U D A S B A N E R J E A
AND
T
he
H
o n ’b l e
M r. R. P. F A R A N J A P E .
I.
D e a r S ir ,
T he p rovisions of th e P a tn a U n iv ersity B ill are
in m y opinion open to several grave objections w h ich
m ay be considered u n d er th e follow ing five h ead s :—
,
1.
T he B ill (see clauses 3, 7 an d 8) gives th e U n i
v e rsity a n in co n g ru o u s co n stitu tio n w a n tin g in com
p ac tn e ss b y m ak in g th e S yndicate and th e S en ate tw o
different an d in d ep en d en t bodies w h ic^ w ill n o t a t ail
be ad a p te d fo r h arm o n io u s an d efficient w ork. A nd
th e re is no re a so n given in th e S ta te m e n t of O bjects
an d R easo n s for g iv in g th e U n iv ersity th e p e c u lia r
co n stitu tio n so ra d ic ally different from th a t p f th*
ex istin g U niversities^
J
(
*
74
)
•
2. I t gives th e C hancellor w ho is th e L le u te n a n tGovernoT of th e P ro v in ce v e ry larg e an d ind ep en d en t
pow ers of interference (see clause 5) a u th o risin g him
o f his ow n m otion an d on th e m ere g round of e ip e d i- ,
en cy an d n o t n ec essity to hold a n y in q u iry by a n y person
superseding, it m a y be, th e S enate a n d th e S y n d icate.
T h is is h a rd ly c o n sisten t w ith th e d ig n ity of a Uni-^
v e rs lty , an d it w ill discourage self-respecting persons
from becom ing its m em bers, ^for is th e re a n y reasoir
g iv en for th e provisions. I t is true, th e u ltim a te con
tro l of ed u catio n should re st w ith th e h ead of th e
G o v ern m en t b u t su ch control should bo exercised
o n ly in ex c ep tio n al, cases of p a ra m o u n t n ec essity , or
th e n a tu re of su ch cases should be definitely sta te d
in th e R eg u latio n s ; and a dignified body like th e U n i '
v e rs ity should be left free to co n d u c t its ow n affairs
in all o th e r cases.
3. The B ill is open to th e fu rth e r o b jectio n
th a t it m ak es th e real a u th o rity of th e U n iv e rsity '
re s t w ith th e sm aller body, th e S yndicate, w h ich will
be com posed chiefly of officials while* it m ak es the
la rg e r body th e S en ate m erely an advisory body. T his
is n o t desirable in th e tru e in te re sts of education.
I? th e U n iv ersity is to exercise a w holesom e influence
over th e ed u c atio n of th e P rovince, and to a ttra c t
th e best in telle cts of th e co u n try both am ong le a rn e rs
o r th e learn ed , it is h ig h ly desirable th a t th e re p re
s e n ta tiv e s of th e educated com m unity sh o u ld have
a n efficient v o ice^ in th e ad m in istratio n of th e U n i
( 75
)
v ersity , and th a t ca n be Served o n ly by m ak in g th e
larg e r body, th e S en ate, th e real se a t of authority4. T he B ill is open ag ain to th e objection th a t
,it u n d u ly lim its th e scope of th e U n iv ersity by con
fining th e p riv ileg e of affiliation to Colleges only in
four specified to w n s in addition to P a tn a (see clause 9,
j»ub-clause. 3). A n d lastly , th e B ill m akes no m ention
of th e re co g n itio n of schools an d th e ,m a tric u la tio n
ex am in atio n am o n g th e m a tte rs to be d ea lt w ith by
th e R eg u latio n s (see clau se 14).
5. Schools te a c h in g stu d en ts who w a n t to e n te r
th e U n iv ersity , o u g h t to be u n d er^ th e control of th e
U n iv ersity an d n o t of th e D e p a rtm e n t of P ublic I n s
tru c tio n , and to av oid m u ltip licatio n s of ex a m in a tio n s,
th ere o u g h t to be o n ly one ex am in atio n , a properly
organized m a tric u la tio n exam ination to te s t a stu
d e n t’s com pletion o f school education an d h is fitn ess,
^to e n te r th e U n iv ersity .
T h e fo reg o in g are th e m ain objections to th e
P a tn a U n iv ersrty B ill, and u n less th e y are rem oved,
th e U n iv ersity w ill, I apprehend, be little m ore th a n
a co stly su p p lem en t to th e D epartm enlôf P ublic In s-,
tru ctio n .
Y ours tru ly ,
G OO RU DAS BANERJTI2A.
I
(
:6 )
Il f
F erg u sso n CollegeP oona,
The 16th N ovem ber 191G,-
Dea r Sir ,
I am in receipt of your p am p h let c o n ta in in g th e
P a tn a U n iv ersity B ill an d th e detailed R e p o rt of thcf
proceedings in*the Im p eria l L eg islativ e C o u n cil a t th§
tim e of its intro d uction. I h ad alre ad y gone th ro u g h
th e B ill as i t w as re c e n tly published in o u r L o c a l Gov
e rn m e n t G azette and I am g re a tly in te re ste d in th e
q u estio n n o t only as i t refers to th e in te lle c tu a l
developm ent of a new P ro v in ce b u t because th is Bill
is liVely to prove a m odel on w h ich o th e r U n iv e rsitie s
in im m ed iate and rem ote prospect in In d ia a re lik ely to
be established. T here w as a little talk a few y e a rs ago,
esp e c ia lly in th e tim e of L ord S ydenham , o u r last
G o v ern o r, of estab lish in g new U n iv ersities in th e Bom
b a y P re sid e n c y a t P oona, A hm edabad a n d K arach i.
T h u s th e B ill is n o t w ith o u t its im p o rtan ce to us per- •
R onally, b u t a s affecting the fu tu re pblicy o f G overn
m en t as re g a rd s h ig h er education w ith in th e w hole of
J n d i a i t is of %ery v ita l in te re st to all ed u cated people.
A lth o u g h as a m a tte r of form , one m a y congra
tu la te th e people of B eh ar on th e ir new U n iv ersity , it
is h a rd ly possible to do so in an y real sense if th e U ni
v e rs ity is to come in to being on a n y th in g like th e lines*
ch alk ed out in ^hie Bill. In alm o st ev ery respect in
(
77
)
v h ic h it difTers from th e old U n iv e r sitie s, it differs for
11. 0 w orse. T he S en a te, w e feel in our older provinces,
m u st h a v e m ore pow er and n ot le ss. Y our U n iv er sity
S en a te w ill h a v e n on e in p ractice a s its d ecision s are
not to be b ind in g o n th e Sy n d ica te. W e, in th ese provinces, w ish to h a v e th e Sen ate m ore responsible to pub
lic op inion and, w ith proper sa fe guards co n tain in g a
m u ch largej- e le c te d elem en t than th e present m eagre
*one o f tw e n ty o u t e f one hundred. Y ou r S en ate ■will
^ a v o a very sm a ll num ber o f F o llo w s add I don’t know
h o w m a n y o f th e m w ill be elected . T he S y n d icates
in our U n iv e r s itie s , a s th e H o n ’blo Mr. Shastri m en
tion ed in h is sp eech , are a lw a y s A ttem pting to usurp
more pow er th a n th e A c t a llo w s them . Y ou r n ew B ill
attem pts to g e t rid o f th is difficulty b y g iv in g the S y n
d icate a ll the p ow er. T he n ew S y n d ica te w ill th u s bo
a very clo se C o m m ittee a b so lu tely irresponsive to
ed u cated public op in ion . T h e V ice-C h an cellor w ill
be th e m aster o f th e U n iv e r sity as it is seen by
the various p r o v isio n s o f th e n e w B ill. In fa ct by
th is B ill th e U n iv e r s ity w ill be o n e o n ly in nam e
but w ill reprodftce for all practical pu rp o ses th e
state o f th in g s th a t ex isted in B om bay before th e
found ation o f th e U n iv e r sity six ty y ea rs ago, w h en
there
w ag a C o m m ittee on ed ucation, w ith ^
P resid en t, the w h o le b ein g a departm ent o f G overn
m ent. I hope th a t y o u in B ehar h a v e advanced a
sta g e beyond th a t sta te o f th in g s. T he U n iv ersity
ou g h t to be an in stitu tio n w h ich its aliLJuni w ill
ch erish and look up to. Our pjêsent U n iv er sities
( 78 )
h ard ly do th is but your n e w U n iv e r sity w ill do it
still le ss. *In fact I doubt* w h eth er you w ould be
w orse off as y o u aro at present w h e n you r stu
d en ts h a v e recourse to C alcu tta or perhaps A llahabad
th an if y o u pot you r n ew U n iv ersity . Y o u w ould
be lo sin g th e benefit o f a tou ch w ith a la rg er pro
vin ce and hardly g e t a n y th in g in ex ch a n g e ex cep t
th a t y o u r students w ill not h a v e to g o to C alcu tta
for th eir d egrees.
P erh a p s even m ore than th e d efects in the*
C on stitu tio n I regard y o u r proposed s y s te m o f in
ternal and e lte r n a l C olleges and th e lim itin g o f the
la tter to a v ery ‘ fe w cen tres as th e m o st re
trograde sectio n s in th e B ill. W h a tev er w ord s w e
m a y u se, it is absurd to regard our B . A . te a c h
in g oven fnr H onours a s real U n iv e r sity te a c h in g
in th e E uropean se n se o f th e term . I t is th e postgarduate te a c h in g th a t r e a lly requires a U n iv e r sity
o rg a n isa tio n . W e a ll w ish to se e grea ter dem and
arise for th is. B u t w h en w e sa y w ith o u t m ak in g
a n y p rovision for th is th a t w e are g o in g to debar
a ll ex tern a l C olleges from tea ch in g for Honour.s B.
A . or B . Sc., how ever w e ll provided th e y m a y be,
it sim p ly m ean s th a t w e arc low erin g our U n iv ersit^r id ea l.
I f an aided C ollege at, sa y , Miizaffarporo s a y s th a t it is g o in g to m ake adeq uate pro
v isio n for th e te a c h in g o f a n y su b ject w h y the
U n iv e r s ity s a y “ n a y ” ? T he m ore cen tre o f learn in g
w e hav§ in a p rovin ce th e better it w o u ld be. All
( 79 )
th a t th e U n iv e r s ity h a s a rig h t to se e is th a t
th e se c en tres sh ou ld be p rop erly equipped. In fa c t
w e are s a y in g to th e poor stu d en t in B ejlar w ho
can n ot g o to P a tn a . “ A ll hope abandon y e . ” If
it is in tend ed to h a v e o n ly a te a c h in g U n iv er sity
le t it confine its e lf to P a tn a alone and I b eliev e th e
C olleges a t oth er p la ces w ou ld prefer to con tin u e
in th eir p resen t p osition o f affiliation to C alcutta.
T he bar on th e fo u n d in g o f C olleges at a n y other
cen tres is, I th in k , m ost unjust. It
is difficult
enough to start a C ollege, but it is possible to
evoke lo c a l en th u sia sm in favour o f h ig h er educa
tion, o n ly if th ere is a C ollege w h ich people ca n see and
regard as th eir o w n . W ith th e rapidly in c re a sin g
num ber o f people w h o arc g o in g in for h ig h er edu
ca tio n m ore n ew C olleges w ill be found a b so lu tely in
disp en sab le. O nce th is B ill is passed, each C o llege w ill
be forced to put a lim it to its num bers and. no n ew
C ollege at a n y oth er p la ce b ein g p ossib le, w e sh a ll find
repeated on a v e r y m uch larger sc a le th e sp ecta cle w e
,are se e in g in different p rovinces o f stu d en ts being
unable to g e t ad m issio n into a C ollege for w a n t of
room.
•
Y ou w ill e x c u se m y lo o k in g at y o u r sch em e from
th e p oin t o f v ie w o f private educationalêffort. U nder
your sch em e a C o lleg e lik e th e h’ergusson C ollege can
not com e in to e x iste n c e . I th in k th a t th e id eal state
of th in g s as regards h igh er edu cation is one in w h ich
w h ile G overnm ent ex ercises a gen eral control, the
r
( 80 )
p eop le th e q ise lv e s w ill h a v e a large s a y in th e m atter
and will^ find free scope for th eir a ctiv ity . N o n e of
th e U n iv e r sitie s in G reat-B ritain—n o t even th e n ew ly
created U n iv e r sitie s— are su ch d ep artm en ts o f G overn
m ent as y o u r U n iv e r sity is intend ed to be b y th is B ill.
I f su ch a U n iv e r sity is offered to P oon a, w e shall
d ecid ed ly sa y “ N o , th a n k you. W e are b etter off
a s a part o f th e B om bay U n iv e r sity ,”
I could sa y a good deal m ore about th e d eta ils
o f th e B ill. In fine, I am alm ost tem pted to sy m p a th ise
w ith y o u on th e p rospect o f you r n e w U n iv e r s ity than
to con gratu late you*on it.
Y ours fa ith fu lly ,
B. P , PA R A N JA PE .
( 81 )
A P P E N D IX 0.
E x tr a c t fro m the pro ceed in g s o f some o f the more im p o rt
an t m eetings held in the M uffasil to p ro te st again st
the p ro v isio n s o f the P a tn a U riiversity B ill.
CHAPRA.
A crow ded m e e tin g o f the Citizens o f Chapra
w a s held in th e lo c a l T ow n H a ll on Saturday,
th e 18th N ovem b er, 1916, to g iv e ex p ression to th e
fe e lin g s o f th e p eop le on th e subject o f th e P a tn a U n i
v e r sity B ill. B e n g a le e s and B eharees, H in d u s and
M ahom edans, la w y e r s and Z am indars— a ll took part
in th e p roceed in g s o f th e m eetin g . On th e m otion of
B abu N a g en d ra N a th B anerjea, V a k il, w h ich w a s
secon d ed b y M ou lvi AU A sh gar, Zam indar and H onor
ary M a g istra te, B ab u G opaljee, a lea d in g m em ber of
th e Chapra Bar,*waa v o ted to th e chair.
T he fo llo w in g
a d o p te d :—
resolu tion s
w ere
u n a n im o u sly
T h a t th is m e e tin g o f th e citizen s o f Chapra records
its m ost em p h a tic protest a g a in st th e p rin cip les under
ly in g the P a tn a U n iv e r sity B ill, and is o f op iniop that
u n less its p ro v isio n s are am end ed in th e fo llo w in g rest
(
83
)
pects it w ould be in th e best in terests o f th e p rovin ce
4
I
to h a v e n o separate U n iv e r sity , viz :—•
I. T he pow er conferred on the C h ancellor should
be th e sam e a s th o se en joyed b y the C h an cellors o f th e
e x istin g U n iv e r sitie s, ex c e p t th a t th e V ice-C h a n cello r
should n o t be n om in a ted by him but be ap p o in ted by
electio n .
II. T h e V ice-C h a n cello r should be an h onorary
officer and should*be e le c te d for a term o f y e a rs and
enjoy the sam e pow ers and p rivileges a s th o se en jo y ed
by th e V ic e -C h a n c e llo r s o f the e x istin g u n iv e r sitie s,
I I I . T he S y n d ica te should co n sist o f 16 m em bers,
tw o of w h om o n ly , v iz , th e V ice-C h a n cello r and the
D irector o f P u b lic In stru ctio n should be m em bers ex
officio ; all the oth er m em bers aliuuIJ be elected . T he
S y n d ica te should be subordinate to th e S e n a te , w h o se
resolu tio n s sh ou ld be open to revision by it.
IV . T he S en a te sh ou ld c o n sist o f not le s s th an
.seventy-five m em bers, of w hom 50% should be ele cted
by th e F a c u ltie s a n d th e R egistered g rad u ates. A ll
graduates o f e x istin g U n iv e r sitie s, r e s id in g w ith in th e
P rovince, should h ave th e right to g et th em selv es
registered as g rad u ates o f the U n iv e r sity and to ele c t
m em bers of th e S en a te.
V . There should be no restriction w h a t-so -ev er
regarding affiliation o f n e w co lleg es w h ere-ever th e y
m a y b : esfab jish ed in the P rovin ce and a lso o f e x istin g
^
( 83 )
ro lle^ es in a n y su b jects up to th e h ig h e st standard, if
th e y fulfil the co n d itio n s, la id dow n to insure th eir
efficiency.
_ V [. N o in stitu tio n recogn ised by th e U n iv e r sity
^should be deprived of- its p riv ileg es w ith o u t bein g
g iv en U ch a n ce to ex p la in a n y charges th a t m a y be
brcûght a g a in st it and w ith o u t th e con-current reso
lu tio n s, recording th e rea so n s, o f th e S y n d ica te, the
S en ate and th e L o c a l G overnm en t.
i.
V II. T he U n iv e r sity should be g iv e n th e right
^ affiliate sch o o ls a s is n o w enjoyed by th e C alcutta
U n iv er sity .
•
V III. T he a p p oin tm en t o f th e h ’gjier tea ch in g
staff should v e s t in th e U n iv e r sity , su b ject to veto by
fhe C hancellor.
I X . T he fr a m in g o f th e first se t o f reg u la tio n s
jfeould be en tru sted to th e S en a te o f th e U n iv ersity .
X . There sh ou ld be arrangem ent for th e tea ch in g
)f M edicine, E n g in eerin g , Com m erce and L a w for each
>f w h ich there sh ou ld be a separate F a c u lty in the
Jn iversity, b esid es th o se for A rts and Scien ce.
Proposed by:— B ab u H em Chandra M itra.
^
Seconded by:— B ab u L ach m i Prasad.
Supported by:— B a b u J a g a n n a th Saran. *
M o u lv i A bdul M ajid.
B ab u In dubh ushan B u tt.
M o u lv i A li A shgar.
,
B abu A m bika S in gh .
, •
B abu R am C handra Siijgh.
•
M ou lvi Md. Ism a il. , ^
( 84 )
BHAGALPORE.
A t a crow ded m eetin g o f the citizen s o f Bhaijalpore,
con ven ed by R a i Sahib Surya P rashad, Babu H arendra
L ai R a y , M ou lvi S hah m at H u ssa in , Mr. S. B. C hatterje e and others, the fo llo w in g reso lu tio n s w ere n n an im ju s ly adopted under th e p resid en cy o f Mr. A . H a k im
B. A .. B a r-a t-L a w ,—
1. T h a t th is m eetin g w elco m es th e introd u ction
o f th e B ill for esta b lish m en t o f a U n iv e r sity a t P atn a
but con sid ers that it is retrograde in ch a ra cter and th a t
it requires thorough, and lihcral ch a n g e s in order to be
accep tab le to th e people o f B ihar and O rissa.
P roposed by :— Babu Jagdh ar P rasad, V a k il.
S econd ed by*.— Babu M urlidhar P ra sh ad of th e
B a n a ili Raj.
Supported by:—^Babu Charu Chandra C houdhary,
M o u lv i A laud din and others.
ARRAH.
A t a crow ded m eetin g o f th e 'c itiz e n s o f A rrah, *
held under th e p resid entship o f B abu*R aghubir S aran,
V ak il, the fo llo w in g reso lu tio n s w ere adopted:—
1.
T h a f th is m eetin g o f the c itiz en s o f Arrah,
w h ile w e lc o m in g the estab lish m en t o f a n e w U n iv erc ity in F e h a -,. m ost em p h a tica lly enters its protest
a g a in st th e retrograde character o f its c o n stitu tio n , and
is qfi?p^nion th a t u n less th e p rin cip les u n d erly in g th e .
( 85
)
P a tn a U n iv e r sity B ill, as introduced in th e Im perial
L e g isla tiv e C ou ncil are ra d ica lly ch an ged and recast, at
lea st on the lin e s o f th e C alcutta U n iv ersity , it w ould
be better n ot to h a v e a n y U n iv e r sity a t all.
Proposed by :— C haudhary K aram at H u ssa in .
Seconded b y :— Babu S h y a m N an d an S ah ay.
(Carried u n an im ou sly).
DARBH ANCxA.
In a la r g e ly atten d ed m eetin g o f the in h a b itan ts
o f D arbhanga, h e ld on th e 2 0 th dnatant, to protest
a g a in st th e P a tn a U n iv e r sity B ill, th e fo llo w in g
resolu tion s w ere passed
‘T hat th is m eetin g of th e
Citizeps o f D arb h a n g a , w h ile w elccrr in g a B ill for the
estab lish m en t o f a U n iv e r sity for B ihar and O rissa,
is stron g ly o f o p in io n th a t th e B ill, introdu ced In
the Im p erial C ouncil, is h ig h ly retrograde in m ost
o f its p ro v isio n s and therefore enters a firm but
•re.spoctful p rotest a g a in st them .
2.
T h at thiV m e e tin g is o f op in ion th a t the B ill
should be liborM ised as fo llo w s :—
{a)
T h a t th e B o d y Corporate, sty led th e P a tn a
U n iv e r s ity , should be empfbwered to hoMand m a n a g e ed u cation al endow m ents.
(h)
T h at th e scope o f th e U n iv e r sity should bo
exten d ed so as to provide for th e te a ch in g
c f M ed icin e, E n gin eerin g, Com m erco and
L aw .
(
86
)
(c) T h at th e S sn a te and the S y n d ica te should be J
•
m odifiod in Jhe m atter o f th eir c o n stitu
tio n s, pow ers, rig h ts and resp on sib ilities
after th ose o f th e C alcu tta U n iv e r sity , w ith j
w h ic h th is P ro v in ce h a s b een con n ected
for the la st six ty y ea rs.
^
id) T h a t th e V ice-C h an cellor sh o u ld n o t be in - |
v ested w ith a n y e x e c u tiv e autjiority m de-^
pen d en t o f th e S y n d ica te, of w hich^ h e ‘
should o n ly be an official C hairm an as
in th e C alcutta U n iv e r sity .
(e) T hat th e su b -cla u se (a) o f c la u se 2 and sub- H
clau se (ai o f c la u se 3 sh ou ld be expunged ^
and no restriction s should be placed upon •
th e êstablishm ent o f a n e w C ollege on the
b asis o f lo ca tio n a s provided in th e Bill.
( / ) T h at it is h ig h ly desirable th a t th e U n i
v e r sity should start w ith S a n sk rit and
A rabic C olleges o f its o w n an d strongly
protests a g a in st th e esta b lish m en t o f a
M issio n U n iv e r sity C ollege.
•
ig)
T h at th e S en a te o f th ^ U n iv e r sity should
be entrusted w ith th e ffa m in g of the first
se t o f R egu lation s.
3.
T h at an urgent telegram should b e sen t
S ir S a n k a ra n N a ir, the E d u ca tio n m em ber, to th e
fb llo w in g effect :—
P u b lic m e e tin g o f the c itiz e n s o f D arbhanga, held
in lo ca l T ow n H a ll en ters respectful p rotest a g a in st
( 87 )
th e retrograde p rovisions o f th e P a tn a IH iiv ersity B ill,
S e n a te im potent, S y n d ica te officialised and U n iver
s ity it s e lf turn ed in to a departm ent o f th e G overn
m en t and esta b lish m en t o f ncW C olleges g rea tly res
tricted. R e sp e c tfu lly prays reca stin g o f th ese pro
v isio n s in a lib era l spirit.
M UZAFFERPORE.
A v e r y e n th u sia stic public m e e t ^ g o f th e citizen s
o f M uzafferpur w a s h eld here in the prem ises of th e
M u k erjee’s S em in a ry , on F riday, th e 24th in st. a t 5-30
p. m., to con sid er th e P a tn a U n iv e r sity B ill. The
m eetin g w a s n u m ero u sly atten ded , and w a s a thoro
u g h ly rep resen ta tiv e one, a lm o st all the prom inent
m en of th e to w n b ein g present. T he H o n ’ble K han
B ahadur A h m a d H u ssa in presided.
T he fo llo w in g
m o u sly .—
reso lu tio n s w ere
passed u n an i
That th e citizen s o f M uzafferpur, in public m eetftig assem bled,*put on record th eir respectful but m ost
em p h a tic p ro test a g a in st th e prin cip les u n d erlyin g th e
P a tn a U n iv e r sity B ill, and are ex p ressly o f op in ion
th a t u n less th e strin g en t and retrogyade provisiong of
*he B ill be m odified in th e fo llo w in g respects, it w ould
n o t be to the best in terest o f the province o f B ihar and
O rissa to h a v e a separate U n iv e r sity a t a l l :—
a.
T h a t th e restrictio n s in th e B ill regarding th e
affiliation o f n e w C o lleg es are a b so lu tely u n ca lled .fo r
f
88
)
atul dotriiTjCTital to th e c a ip o of h ig h er ed u cation in
th e P rov in ce and th at provision s be m ade for post-gra
d u a te stu d ies and for te a c h in g H onours in A rts and B.
Sc. p a ss ; and H onou rs c la sse s be opened in th e e x ist
in g c o lle g e s w here th ere m a y be dem and for th e s a m c .^
b. T h at the S en a te should not be a m ere ad vi
sory body bat th a t its resolu tion should be -binding
upon th e S y n d ica te , w h ic h body sh o u ld c o n sist o f 16*
m em bers, tw o o f w h om , n a m e ly th e Vice-C5hancellor,
and th e D. P. I. sh ou ld be m em bers ex-officio, and th a t
a ll th e rest sh ou ld be elected by th e m em bers of the
S en a te and the F a cu lties.
•
c. T h at th e S en a te should c o n sist o f n o t loss
th an 80 m em bers, o f w h om 50 per cen t sh o u ld be e le c t
ed by th e F a c u ltie s and th e Itegislered G rad u ates ; and
th a t all th e G raduates resid in g w ith in th e province
sh ou ld be eligib le for reg istra tio n a s g ra d u a tes of tho
U n iv e r s ity .
d. T h at th e post o f th e V ice-C h an cellor sh ou ld •
an honorary one, a s in the e x istin g U n iv er sitie s,
and th a t h e should be elected for a te /m o f 5 years,
and h e sh ou ld be v ested w ith pow ers, sim ila r to th ose,
en joyed b y th e V ice-C h a n co llers o f other U n iv e r s itie s .
1)G
•
e. T h at t!ie C h ancellor o f th e P a tn a U n iv er sity
sh ou ld h a v e the sam e p o w ers a s th ose, en joyed by the
C han cellors o f e x istin g U n iv e r sitie s, but th a t th e V ic e C h an cellor should be elected by th e S en a te instead
o f b e in g n^jininated by the C hancellor.
% ‘
( 89 )
/ . T hat no in stitu tio n sh o u ld be d ep ilv ed of a n y
o f its p riv ileg es w ith o u t b ein g ca lled upon for an ex
p lan ation , and w ith o u t th e concurrent reso lu tion s of
th e S enate, th e S y n d ic a te , and th e L o ca l G overn^ m en t.
g. T h at th e P a tn a U n iv e r s ity sh ou ld h ave the
pow er to affiliate sch ools, as is n o w en joyed by the
. C alcu tta U n iv e r sity .
h. T h at th e 1st se t o f R cgu la tfo n s should bo
fram ed b y th e S en a te and not left to the L o c a l G ov
ernm ent ; and th a t public op in ion be in v ited on the
sa m e.
•
•
i. T hat th e D iam ond J u b ilee C ollege a t M ongh y r should be reta in ed and th a t it should be stren gth
ened by fin a n cia l a ssista n c e from G overnm ent.
j . T hat no M issio n C ollege should form part o f
th e proposed P a tn a U n iv e r sity .
k. T h at b esid es th e F a c u ltie s for A rts and
• S cien ce, there sh ou ld be separate F a c u ltie s for M edi
cin e, E n g in eerin g , C om m erce and L aw .
P r o p o s e d ' b y B a b u J ogen d ra Chandra M ukerjee
B. L.
Seconded by:— M ou lvi M ahom m ad S h a fee, B. L ..
Supported b y :— Babu G a n g a B ishun.
,,
— Babu A rik sh an Singh.
„
— P a n d a y J a g a n n a th P rasad M. A .,
B. L.
„
— B abu R am dyaiu Sinha, L . L. B.
(
90
)
I[
T h at co p ies o f the above reso lu tio n be forwarded
to th e ’E d u ca tio n m em ber, G overn m en t of In d ia, Chief
Secretary, B ihar and O rissa, the S ecreta ry, B ihar Pro
v in c ia l A sso cia tio n , and the P ress.
Proposed by;— Babu A gh o ren a th C hatterjee, B. L.
Seconded b y :— P a n d it R am
M. A ., B. L,
C hander
M isser,
M ONGHYR.
A crow ded and en th u sia stic m e e tin g o f the peo
p le o f M on gh yr, con ven ed by th e lo c a l “ P e o p le s’
A sso c ia tio n ” w a s h eld on F rid a y , th e 24th in sta n t, at
4-40 p. m. M ouW i Md. S y eed ud din B. L . V a k il, pre
sided.
T he fo llo w in g reso lu tio n s w ere u n a n im o u sly
p a s s e d :—
[. T hat th is m eetin g o f the people o f M onghyr,
w h ile w elc o m in g th e proposal to e sta b lish a U n iv e r sity
'or B ehar, stro n g ly disapproves o f th e P a tn a U n iveri i t y B ill, as introduced in th e Im p erial L egi.slative*
C o u n cil and exp resses th e d eliberate op in ion of the
oeop le o f B ehar th at th e y w ould rather h a v e no U n i
versity th an a U n iv e r sity o f th e proposed ty p e , w h ich
is c a lc u la te d to ch eck th e d evelop m ent and progress
o f h ig h e r ed u cation in th e P rovin ce.
P roposed b y i— M unshi A m eer L ai.
S eco n d ed b y :—Mr. S. M. Y e h y a Esq.
•S u p p o rted b y ;— P a n d it Sri B u la k i P ath ak .
%
'
( 91
)
I I . T hat th is m e e tin g o f the people o f M onghyr
stro n g ly disapproves
the ex clu sio n cff th e M onghyr
D iam ond J u b ilee C ollege from th e proposed P atn a
U n iv e r sity a s b ein g ca lc u la te d to ham per the progress
o f high er ed u ca tion in th e d istrict o f M on gh yr parti
cu la r ly and B eh ar g en era lly .
P roposed b y :— S. M. N a im u tu lla h .
• Seconded b y :— Babu B abu Lai.
Supported by :— M ou lvi M oinul Haq.
I I I . T h a t a representation and m em orial to the
G overnm ent o f In d ia be subm itted on b eh a lf of th e
people o f M ongh yr regarding th e P a tn a U n iv e r sity
B ill and the reten tio n o f th e D iam ond J u b ilee C lege
in the proposed U n iv e r sity .
T h at a C om m ittee co n sistin g , o f th e following,
gen tlem en , w ith pow ers to add to th eir num ber, be
form ed to draft a d etailed criticism o f the proposed
Bill and a m em orial to retain th e D iam on d Ju b ilee
-lollege, M onghyr, for su b m ission to th e G overnm ent
•t In d ia :— M ou lvi Md. Syeedu d din B. L ., B abus Sreetr ish n a P rasad, B. L., T ejesh w ar Prasad, th e H on ’ble
iu m a r Shivarfandan P rasad Sinha, B-ai D alleep N arain
S in h a B ahadur, R ai B a ijn a th G oenkaB ahadur. th e H on.
Rai L a k sh m i P rasad S in h a B ahadur, S. K. Y eh y a ,
£sq ., S. N . N a im u tu lla h , E sq., B ab» N irapado Mniknerji, B. L„ B. P. Sinha, Esq., Babu M urlidhar B. L .
P roposed by :— Babu Jagd w ip S ah ai, B. L.
Seconded by :— M ou lvi Md. Zaq.
Supported by :— B abu D eokin and an Sjnha.
^
)
( 92 )
APPENDIX D
LIST OF DELEGATES
W HO ATTENDED
T H E EXTRAOR DI N AR Y SESSION
OF THE
B E H A U P R O V IN C IA L C O N FER E N C E.
H E L D AT R A N K lP O n e ,
On the 26th N ov., 1916
Serial
Ko.
I
of delegates.
Place.
How elected.
•
A t a public
nietving*
Babu Chandradeo
Navayau, B. L*.
Chapra
•
2
•
•
„ M adho
B. L.
Singh,
„ M ahendra P ra
sad', B. A ,
Zam indar.
3
•
•
•
(
93
)
A P P E N D I X r ^ — Contd.
SsriiiJ
No.
Nnmes of delegates,
Fliice.
Cliapra
•4
How elected,
M oulvi Md. Ismnil,
li. L,
At a
public
m eeting.
5
n
' ••
Babu B ankevbihaii
La), J3. L.
it
It
6
}♦
• •• Mr. Sarju Prasad,.
Bar-at-Iasv'.
n
II
7
M
• •• Babu Rag}jo âran
S ahi, Zarnindar.
II
II
S
J»
• ••
„ Bram liadeo N arayati Siugli.
II
]>
9
Jf
...
„ Jadunatlj Sahav
B. L.
tt
ft
lo
it
„ B indhyabasini
Prasad, M. A.,
B. L.
it
ti
1
II
II
1
*
•. .
• • • M oulvi A bul H a
san, B. L.
II
12
)S
-
•
•
•
#
Babu
Sheogobind
Sahay.
1
•
•
•
94
A P P E N D I X D .-^C o n td .
1
\
Si-ria
Js'o.
3
i
Place.
J ta m tB
t> f
i\e\«gate8.
How elocte«l,
„ Brajbihari Lall, A t a public
Zamindar,
m e e tin g .
Chapra
«
„ Baid)'aiiath Pra
sad, Zam indar
1 4
»
»
H
„ S itananda Sinlia Mahata.
»
11
„ Sheogobind
Singh.
»>
»i
II
II
„ T ribeni Prasad
••
1 5
1 6
i
H
II
7
• • •
f>
1 8
'
Narayan,
>1
II
B. L.
J
9
•- •
II
„ D e o N a r a in L a l
•»
II
•
|>
20
•••
•
21
>>
22
II
„ Btsw anath Sah av, M. A .,
.
B.'L*
„
•
•
•
•»
»
Rajendra Pra
sad Singh.
N arayan
Sinha.
— 1—
..................
7}
»
ff
tf
II
II
( 95 )
APPRNDJ X n - Contd.
S«*rial
No,
•.
•
Names of delegates.
Place.
„ H ira l.a l
Cliapra
23
How elected,
A t a public
meeting.,
•
• a
\
»
24
»
25
»
26
»
27
«
„ A m bika Trasad
»
If
„ A mbika Prasad
Smlia.
«>
1!
„ Fateh Bahadur
»>
»
•••
„ K am la
Sahay.
K ant
»
tf
>}
•••
, Jagannath Pra
sad.
»
19
25
*»
•• •
„ Biajbiliari Pra
sad.
If
rl
-.
30
ft
• ••
„ A chutaiianda
Sinha.
,
31
»»
...
32,
11 Gopalganj
...
•
•
28
• ••
«
•
#
4
1
•11
9»
„ R am anada Sinba, B. A .
9)
fl-
„ B aldeo Sahay
»
• •
>*
•
•
-
(
96
)
. A P P E N D I X V>.^Contd.
Seria
No.
Place.
Names of delegates.
How elector!.
T h e H nii’ble R;ii
Bahndu
Dwarkanath.
A t a public
meeting.^
♦
1
33
Mozufferpore
34
•
Muzaffci'pore
35
Babu G aya Prasad,
B. L.
}}
11
„ Gaya ’ rasad
Sinha, B. L.
ff
tJ
R am now ni
Prasrtd, B. L
J»
33
„ Satranjan Pra
sad, B. L.
33
33
„ L akslim i N alayan Sinha,
M. A ., B. L . .
»
»
„ Indradaman
Prasad.
>1
»
„ A rikshan Sfuba
ri
If
Panday Jagannath
Prasad, M. A .,
B. L,
n
ji
36
»
•• • Babu
37
»
♦‘*
3S
\„
39
»
40
It
41
>1
• ...
•
•
•••
»
•
1
•
1
•
( 97 )
A P P E N D IX
Serial
No.
•
Names of delegates.
Flace,
How elected.
Pandit R am chandra Misra M, A.
B. L.
Muzafferpore
45
T>— Contd. ,
• »
A t a public
m eeting.
e
•••
„ M ahendra Pra
sad.
43
H
44
»
„ Gajendra N «th
Sarkar.
45
Hajipur
Babu Bindhyabasini Prasad, B.L.
46
D arbhanga ...
Darbhanga.
•4 7
w
•
•
n
1)
If
„ Brajakisliore
Prasad, M. A .,
B. L.
»
1)
Babn Dharnidhar,
M A . B. L ....
•>
»
48
}}
• ••
„ Sarjii K ant Jha
M. A. B. L.
u
»•
49
»
**•
„ Ram eswar Pra
sad.
t)
»
50
»
• ••
„ Murari Prasad,
B. L.
•
•
•
1
%
•
1
•
(
38
)
A P P E N D IX
Svrittl
Ko.
Flace.
»
51
•••
Names of delected.
Huw elected.
„ M. Md, Ha.san
M. A ., B .L .
A t a public
■meeting.
A
„ Giriwardhar, B.
A ., L. L. B.
Samastiûr.
52
53
•
M
T h e R everend Mr.
Sam pson.
)}
}>
Babu Sukhdeo Naratii.
l>
M
54
M adhubani
55
M onghyr
...
„ Jagannath Pra
sad, M. A., B.
L.
M
M
56
>»
• •■
„ Srikrishna Pra
sad, B. L.
M
l>
57
,,
• >•
„ Sriki ishnaSuiha
M. A . B, L. •
l>
V
58
»
, •••
„ TajesJuvar Pra
sad.
59
II
„ Murlidhar, B, L.
»
}f
„ K aiiash pati
ft
M
60
•
.
3>
,
Ml
••■
•
%
•
C 99 )
A P P E N D I X D — Cnrud.
SfClftl
Ku.
n^ce.
.
KftiiieM of •leleg-'vtes.
Ho’w elected.
,j D conandan Pra
sad Siiiha.
A t a public
m eeting
•
6
i‘
39
• f•
»
...
' .
62
63
Bhagalpore.
Babii Ram kishun
Sinha.
„ Jagadhar Pra
sad B.L.
•
„ Siiryanarayan
Kumar, B. J_.
64
4- •
65
.4.
66
M adh epu ra...
„ Rashbihari Lai
Mandal.
• ••
„ Brajabihari Lai
Mandal.
•
<57
>i
68
R anchi
69
»
•
ij
»
t
>»
»
•
>»
„ Aiiugrah Naraiii
Siiiha.M . A .B .L
„ Kalipado Ghose
M. A., B, L.
i>
39
»
y>
•
70
•
•••
Yt
Pandit BaP hadra
Prasad Jotishi.
M.A. B L .
Rai Gurusarau Pra
sad. B. L.
«
)>
>*
•
I
•
( 100 )
A P P E V D i : ^ D .~ C o n td .
SiM'iul
Mo.
71
Place.
Names of delegateij.
Puiulia
Mr. A. T. Sen,
!
72
D a lto n ^ iij.
73
•
74
Haz.arib^^gh.
?S
76
How elected.
A t.a public
meeting^ t
1
M. Nawrang Sahaj'.
•>
> ,
Babu Ramnarayan
Siuiia,
•>
5>
R ai
»
»
Bahadur B.
Gopikrishna.
liab u Rajeshwari
Prasad.
■n
Shahabad ...
,, Brajanandan
Sahay.
•
•
77
>1
• •*
78
„ Avvadbbihari Saran,M . A .B . L.
#
„ Javanti Prasad
M. A. B. L.
U
11
if
•
79
11
• ••
80
«
•••
•
„ Raghunath Pra
sad Sinha.
P and ay R am chandra P rasad
*1
»
if
1
•
«p
I
•
(
101
)
A P P E N D I X D ~ C o n td .
serial
No.
Place-
Bt
Shahabad
Bt2
)>
83
))
...
•••
Sasaram
•
- 87
Gaj-a
...•
•
1)
89
)»
•••
»
•• ■
•
•
1
public
mecliiitr.
*
„ Harikishiin B o y
»
»
»
Pattdit Ramnarahi,
ChoubaV) B. P.
»
n
Mr. A thar Hussain,
B. A., B. L ,
Bar at‘law.
»
>«
Babu Durga Piasa<1,
B. L.
»»
»
Mr, R. I.. N andkeohar.
»
88
.
At a
,) Tilakdliari I.-1I.
^
86
How elected.
Babu Jagdanib Sahay.
„ Ban.'!idhar Brasad.
Buxar
84
8
Names, of ciclc'gates.
'
Babu Kailashpati,
B. L.
„ Permeshwar
D a \ al.
I)
]]
»>
>1
•
»
•
( 102
)
A P P E N ' D I ^ I),— Contd.
Serial
N'amea. of delegates.
Place.
No.
91
G aya
92
>1
93
»
A . Atnbika Prasad.
Mr, H. L. N andkeolyar.
•
•••
94
i»
„ H are k r i s h n a
Prasad Sitilia
»
,1
••»
„ B'sbun
Dayal
U padhya
96
ft
•••
„ R anjit
Sinha
98
A urangabad...
■Bchar
•
•
99
J>
♦♦♦
100
_______________ 1—
•
A t a public,
meeting.
i»
j* ,
B:ibn
Ragliunandan Prasad
95
97
H ow elected.
>1
N aryan
1*
»
II
•
„ L akshm i Narayan P all
•
»>
»»
„ A nandi
13. L.
Prasad
II
1)
„ Brajanandan
Fra.sad, M A..B.L.
II
11
„ RHlunbiud Jbas.m! B.L.
>1
1!
(
103 )
A P P E N D IX D.—Con^^^. ’
Serial
JSo-
PUcc.
•* « IDI
»
102
Barh
103
Bankipore
•••
„ K anhai Lai
„ Parmeshwari
Prasad Varma
M.A., B.L.
>
...
•
„ Nandkishore
Lai, M. A.
B. L.
104
•9
•a • T he
^05
M
•••
#
106
It
107
II
• • «
108
II
•
•
• ♦'
to ,
'
1
H ow elected.
Kaines. of delegates.
••
H o n ’ble Mr.
Mazharul H aque
„ R ai Bahadur
K rishna Sahay
Khan Bahadur Nawab Sarfaraz
H ussain Khan
I
»
]]
U
]>
A t a m eeting
o f the Behar
Provincial
A ssociation.
»
M
>9
?l
91
»
•
Mr. S. Sinha,
Bar-at-Law
Mr. S yed W asi
Ahtnari,
B ar-at-Law
n
«
»
•
(
104
)
• A P P E N D IX * D ,~ C o n (d
Serial
No.
Place.
109
B ankipore ...
110
of delegatee.
«
»)
T h e H on’bie Moulvi
Noorul H asan B.L
B. Lakshm i Narayan Sinha, B. L.
112
T he H on'ble Rai
Bahadur Parnedii
Narayan Sinha
>»
114
n
115
„
il6
»
iiy
»
•
jj
„ Rai Sahab
Narayan Prasad
•• ■ B, Ganesh D u
Sinha, B. L.
U
11
•
1)
If
Mr. Binode Beharj’
Lai, Bar-at-Law
•
•
B. Soroshi Charan
Metra, B. L.
111
113
How elected.
}}
B.
Sheoshankar
Sahay
}}
R. M ihiruath R oy
B. L.
*
•
(
105
)
A P P E N D I ' X r>.— Co7itd.
Sertkl
^\o.
PUcc.
ii8
B ankipore ...
Karnes of delegates.
•
How elected.
$‘
•
>■
A t a m eeting
o f the Beliar
Provii.cial
' A ssociation.
• *• B . A m blka Prasad
>1
120
»
U p h a d y a , M. A.
B. L.
• • • R aiT ribh n an N ath
S a h a y, M. A .,
B. L.
»
121
»
• ••
Babu Kuarnandan
Sahay
)>
>t
122
j>
»• « Babu
H arnandan
Sahay M .A. B. L,
l>
»
Mr. Chandrabansi
Sahay Bar-at-La\v,
»»
•>
]|
l>
V
1/
•
* 123
•
^ '
Ranjan
}>
119
\
B. N aini
Sinha
124
►
*• Babu Harnaravan
)j
Pd. M. A
125
H
•
•
B. N ageshw ar Pd.
M. A., b . L.
»
•«« B. Nirsu Narayan
1)
• ••
ft
B. L.
)>
»
1
126
m
Sinlâ, M. A . B. L.
•
»
•
»
*
i
♦
%
•
(
106 )
A PPEN D IX *D.—Con^rf.
SeriM
Place.
Karnes of delegates,
E ankipore ...
B. Brvidyaoath N arayan Sioha M .A.
M. L.
No.
127
•
Mr. G. N . M atho,
Bar-at-Law
J2 8
i»
• *•
129
»)
130
„
• • ■ Mr. S. Sam i, Barat-P aw
M'-. G. L. Shaw,
...
Bar-at-lavv
Babii Jatendra nalh
Sen Gupta
131
„ M ahadeo P ra
sad, M. A . B. L.
132
»»
•••
133
»»
*•* P anday Rajendra ,
Sahay
1 ^ 4
M
•
Babu Bindesluvari
Prasad Singh
„ Shivasankar Lai
135
136
...
J.
•
„ K rishnaballab
Saahy, B. L.
Bow elected.
•
A t a m eeting ^
o f the Behar
Provincial
As.sociatioii.
if
99
9
>
•t
if
99
4-
H
>9
99
)
fi
9
if
91
if
it
}f
ii
•
#
\
(
107
A rP E N T D IX
)
D
. —
C o n td .
*
j
SfTlfti
Place.
• No.
B atikip ore...
*37
138
I>
139
II
140
>1
Nam es of delegates.
How elected,
B. Khetradas Basu
A t a meetinsr
o f the Beiiar Pro
vincial A sso
ciation.
Mr, Ragluibar D ayal
•
• • • Babu Raingopal
Sinha Olio\ydhiiry, B. L.
•' •
•• •
K u ld ip n a ray a n
»
II
l>
fl
1}
n
M
II
»
y>
II
II
Singh
141
II
•
142
ff
•• •
•
l»
144
Babn Sona Sinha
Chowdlûiy,
• • • Pandit Sheonandan
Ray, j B . L .
^
11
*43
Mr. Kri.shna Pra
sad Sin fia
Chovvdhury
•• '
Babn Bhubanesh
war Prasad
„Jivanandan Saliay
145
•
«
•
M
II
If
>1
•
( 108 )
A P P E N W X D,
Serial
No.
146
Place.
Bankiporej ...
-
147
148
•
B. Benim adho Pra A t a m eeting
o f th eB eh a r Pro-'
sad
vincial A sso
ciation.
„ Nawalkishore
)>
»
Prasad, B, L.
• » Jalgobind Pra
it
ti
sad, B. L.
„ Gopinandan
Singh
149
150
151
How elected.
Names of delegates.
.>
112
it
»t
Babu Atulkrishna
R ay, M. A . B. L.
»
»
Babu R ajendra
Pd. M. A . M. L,
#
„ B hagw an Pra ,
sad B. Sc. B. L.
H
»>
»
»
153
Mr. A jm al Hussain,
»
»
154
M. A m ir Hasan,
B. L.
H
>f
155
Babu Kulvvant Sahay B. L.
•
•
1
1
)t
--------- --------------
(
m
)
A P P E N D IX D .- C o n U
------------------ f---------S'riaJ
Plaoe.
Ko,
Namea of delegates.
Bjiilkipore ...
• r)
•
...
...
159
■)
>•.
„ Sheosanke» Lai
160
t‘.
...
„ Baldeo
161
ji
t*.
163
)i
...
163
>»
ti
>^
•
•
A
«. . .
f
ft
»
-j
p
»
„ M anm atho nath
D ey, B. L.
»
If
„ A nrudhji
m an
Var-
i>
>i
„ R aghubir Prasad
»>
>»
„ R am Prasad,
B. L.
>»
»
H
M
S ahay
•
L .
^^4
>*
165
»>
166
>»
s
^
f
B. D eonandan Sa A t a m eetin g .
il ay
D ftheB eharP rci
viiicial A sso
ciation.
„ K rishna Kumar*
»»
>»
„ T arini
Prasad
1)
157
158
i
ilo w elected.
■
,
•. •
•
» Babu Sam bhu Saran V erm a M. L ,
B. L.
»
#
„ T ara Prasad
•
•
•
)>
»»
( 110 )
A P P E N D IX D .— Contd.
1
t
•
S«ria I
Jio.
167
l6 8
Plaoe.
B ankipoie
... ^M u r ] i h ni anohar
Piasad.
Dinapore. • ...
169
jj
170
J>
171
Kames uf doiegabes.
Rai Sahab Janakdhari Lai
Bow elected.
A t a m eetitig
o f th e Behar
P rovincial
A ssociation.
»
»
• Mr. K . L. Missir
• ••
Patna C ity ...
„
Padam
Lai
if
n
tf
Babu Jayakrishnaj
Banker,
172
R ai Brajaraj K rish
na, B. A,
173
Btibu
Chandipat
Sahay.
if
>•
M
n
li
„ Ajodhva Prasad, ♦
B. L."
174
JJ
*"
175
JJ
•
• • ■ Sah R adha K rish
na.
176
j) •
>y
V
n. Biseshwar Sahu
%
•
c
P R IN T E D ’ BY S. M . R a HIM B u KHSH,
A T T H E “CENTRAT.” P R E S S .
BANKIPORE.
\
;
FOREW ORD.
•
•
T h is is th e fifth P am p h let o f th e I^lhar P ro vin cial
A sso cia tio n T racts and co n ta in s th e R e so lu tio n s and
op in ion s
o f th e
various
A sso c ia tio n s
and
Public
B od ies in th e P rovin ce o f B ihar and O rissa on the
P a tn a U n iv e r sity B ill.
The R esoli 2|io n adopted
N i> y
th e In d ia n N a tio n a l C ongress at L u ck n ow in D ecem
ber, 1916, to g ^ h e r w ith a sum m ary o f the sp eech o f the
Ilo n ’ble Mr. R. P . P aranjpye, w h o m oved it, is also in
cluded in th is pam phlet.
A p eru sa l o f the P am p h let w ill sh ow th e am ount
and u n a n im ity o f feelin g am ong a ll c la sse s o f people'
regarding the objectionable featu res o f th e B ill.
1
R A JE W D R A P R A S A D ,
T he 4th F ebruary 1917, >
J o in t Secretary.
J B ihar P ro v in cia l A sso cia tio n ,
;
CONTENTS.
•
P
a g e
1.
Th.e B eh ar L andholders A sso c ia tio n
....
1
а.
T he B e n g a le e S ettlers’ A sso c ia tio n
...
5
3.
T he O rissa U n io n
...
16
4.
ThePradh%.n B h u m ih a r B r a h m a n S a b h a ...
18
5.
T he M u slim L ea g u e (M uzafferpore )
20
б.
T he B eh a r and O rissa P ro v in cia l C ongress
.
\
C om m ittee
7.
...
...
T he In d ia n N a tio n a l C ongress
...
...
...
23
...
26
1-
I
B ehar P ro vin cia l A ssociation Tracts^
T h e P atna U n iv er sit y B il l
V
O P IN IO ^ ^ S O F
P U B L I C B O D IE S ,
-:o:-
PUBLISHED BY
R A J E N D R A P R A SA D
J o in t Bocretary.
B E H A R P R O V IN C IA L A SSO C IA T IO N ,
B A N K IPO R E .
'
T H E PATNA UNIVERSITY B I L L
T H E B E H A B l a n d h o l d e r s * A SS O C IA T IO N .
T he H on orary S ecretaries o f th e B ih ar L an d h old ers’
A sso cia to n h a v e su bm itted th e fo llo w in g to th e U n d er
sec reta ry , E d u ca tio n D epartm ent, B ehar and O rissa,
as th e op inion o f th eir A sso cia tio n on th e P a tn a U n i
v e r sity B i l l :—
W ith referen ce to your letter N o. 1459-63-E., dated
th e 23rd October, 1916, th e E xecvitive C om m ittee of th e
B ihar L an d h o ld ers’ A sso cia tio n be§ to th a n k th e G ov
ern m en t for th e e x te n tio n o f tim e granted to them for
th e su b m ission o f th e opinion o f tha A sso c ia tio n on th e
P a tn a U n iv e r sity B ill w h ich g ave them su fficien t tim e
to co n su lt tbeir m em bers on an im portant m ea su re lik e
this.
The su g g e stio n s m ade below em body th e v ie w s of
th e m em bers o f th e A sso ia tio n based o n the o p in io n s
received froin th em .
T he A sso c ia tio n w ould h a v e w elco m ed th e in tro
duction o f a sep arate U n iv e r sity in B eh ar and O rissa,
if co n stitu ted on righ t lin es, but th e C om m ittee regret
th a t on a ca refu l con sid eration o f th e ^provisions o f th e
B ill, introd u ced on the 37th Seqtem ber la st, th e B ilk in
th eir opinion, is a retrograde o n e, c a lc u la te d to ham per
th e spread o f ed u ca tio n in th e province and to p racti
c a lly c o n stitu te th e proposed U n iv e r sity in to a D ep art
m ent o f th e S ta te .
•
*
( 2 )
T h e C am m ittee o f th e A sso c ia tio n are o f op in ion
th a t if the G overn m en t are not disposed to a ccep t the
am en d m en ts su g g ested below , th e peopfe o f th e pro
v in c e w ou ld m u ch prefer to be allow ed to con tin u e
under th e C a lcu tta U n iv e r sity till su ch tim e a s a U n i;
v e r sity on tr u ly liberal lin es is estab lish ed a t P a tn a .
C lau se 5.— T he pow ers o f th e C h ancellor sh o u ld be
th e sa m e a s th o se o f the e x istin g U n iv e r sitie s.
C lau se 6 , •sub . cla u se ( i ) — T he V ice-ch a n cello r
sh ou ld be elected b y th e Senate and not appointed by
th e L o c a l G overn m en t. H e should be an h onorary
o iic e r and h is po'êrs should be th e sam e a s th o se of
th e V ice-ch a n ca llo rs o f the e x istin g U n iv e r s 'f es. A s
to th e office o f th e V ice-ch a n cello r being an h onorary
on e. w e beg to refer th e G overnm ent to p a ge 9 o f th e
su g g e stio n s o f th e E x ecu tiv e C om m ittee o f th e B ehar
L and holders’ A sso c ia tio n in regard to th e schem e
draw n up by th e P a tn a U n iv ersity C om m ittee and su b
m itted to th e G overnm ent on the 27th A pril 1914, a ,
copy o f w h ich is h erew ith a n n exed for ready referen ce.
•
C lau se 6 , su b -sectio n (41— T he ap poin tm ent and
control o f all officers and serv a n ts o f the U n iv e r sity
should be in th e h an d s o f th e S y n d ica te.
•
•C lause 7.— T he co n stitu tio n of the S y n d ica te as pro
p o se 1 affords n o .c h a n c e to th e ed u cated public o f the
P ro v in ce to ta k e a n y part in its affairs. T h ere sh o u ld
th e r e 'o r e be no n om in ated m em bers on it. T he in clu
s io n in it*of ti «2 F r in c ip il o f the P a tn a C ollege on ly
0
( 3 )
m akes the d istin c tio n in vid iou s, p referen ce t a profes
sors of a n y p a rticu la r co lleg e is n ot desirable. T he
S y n d ica te sh ou ld c o n sist o f th e V ice-ch a n cello r and
su ch oth er m em bers a s m a y be e le c te d by the
S en a te and th e F a c u ltie s .
'S e c tio n 8 .— T h e num ber o f the F e llo w s o f th e
•S en ate should be increa sed to a t le a st 100, o f w h ic h at
le a st tw o-th ird s sh o u ld be elected by registered gradu
a tes and th e F a c u ltie s.
The C om m ittee here beg to c a ll a tte n tio n to th e
sp eech o f the H o n ’ble Dr. Sapru at the tim e o f th e
in trod u ction o f th is B ill in the Suprem e C ouncil p oin
tin g o u t th a t th e A llah ab ad U n iv ersity , on th e m odel
of w h ic h w e h ad h op ed th e P a tn a U n iv e r sity w a s to
be constituted , w ith it s S en ate c o n sistin g o f 75 m em
bers, fonnd it n e c e ssa r y to represent to the G overnm ent
of In d ia to ra ise th e stren gth o f its S e n a te and w a s
supported by th e L o c a l G overn m ent of th o se P r o v in
ces.
The g rea test ob jection , how ever, to the proposed
S e n a te , in th e o p in io n o f th e C om m ittee o f th e A sso c ia
tion, is th a t it is g o in g to bo m erely a d elib erative body.
T he C om m ittee are stro n g ly o f op in ion tlia t th e Sena^’o
should be the c h ie f co n tro lin g body in th e U n iv e r sity
p o ssessin g fu ll p ow ers o f su pervision and control over
th e S y n d ic a te and th e in stitu tio n s affiliated to th e
U n iv e r s ity . In o th er w ords th e S en a te sh ou ld en joy
th e sa m e p o sitio n and th e sa m e a u th o r ity a s are
en joye’d*by*tho S e n a te s o f oth er U n iv e r sitie s and should
%
t
▼
( 4 )
•
•
d isch a rg e sim ila r fu n ction s. I t should h a v e p 'v w e r to
fram e r eg u la tio n s and should e x ercise fu ll an d e ffe c
tiv e con trol over the affairs o f the U n iv e r sity . It
should be g iv e n th e povrer to reco g n ize sc h o o ls and to
reg u la te the M atricu la tio n E xam 'n atlon .
T h e in clu sio n o f the B ishop o f C hota N agpur
am on g th e E x-officio m em bers o f the S en a te m a k es the*
representatiop. o f the head o f one relig ion in v id io u s
and therefore su b -cla u se III o f th is sectio n sh ou ld be
om itted .
S ectio n 9, Sub-Clause (o).— T here should be no rest
rictio n to th e ad m ission o f a n y ed u ca tio n a l in stitu tio n
at a n y p la ce as an extern al c o lle g e in a n y su b ject and
to a n y stanrlard, if it is properly and a d eq u a tely equip
ped.
S e c tio n 10.—A ll proposal for th e deprivation o f the
p riv ileg es o f a co lleg e in w hole or in part should be in
th e form o f recom m en dations to the S en a te, w h ich
sh a ll be th e fin a l a u th ority in the m atter.
•
•
T he pro v isio n s contained in sub-claipses, a, c. d. e.
f, g, h, k, 1, n, o f se c tio n 14 sh ou ld find a p la ce in the
B ill itself.
T here should be F a c u ltie s for A rts, S cien ce, L aw ,
M ed icin e, E n g in eerin g , T ech n o lo g y , C om m erce and
San sk rit and A rabic te a c h in g s.
T he C om m ittee beg here a g a in to draw a tte n tio n
to p ages 4 aiyl 5 o f th eir su g g estio n on th e P a tn a U n i-*
v e r sity S ch em e above referred to.
^ ^•
m
%
t 5 )
T he D iam ond J u b ilee © ollege a t Monghiyi* should
n o t be abolished and should be in c o r p o r a te d .in the
ITniversity. *
T he A ct sh ou ld la y dow n th e term o f th e office of
th e V ice-ch a n cello r, the S en a te a n d th e S y n d icate,
in c lu d in g th e first S en ate,
G raduates o f U n iv e r sitie s w h o b elo n g to th is P ro
v in c e should be g iv e n option to g e t th e m se lv e s r eg is
tered and th e y sh o u ld possess th e sam e rig h ts and pri
v ileg es a s th e registered gra d u a tes o f th e C alcutta
U n iv er sity .
The first set o f regu lations shouM be fram ed b y the
S en ate.
T H E B E N G A L E E S E T T L E R ’S A S S O C IA T IO N ’S.
Babu Ram Lai Sinha, H onorary S ecretary, B en g a lee
S e ttler s’ A sso cia tio n , has subm itted th e fo llo w in g to the
G overn m en t aa Ih e opinion o f h is A sso c ia tio n on the
B ill
I beg to a ck n o w led g e the receipt o f your letter
N o. 1429-63, d ated R anchi, th e 33r<t October 1916,
forw arding a c o p y o f the B ill to esta b lish and in cor
porate a U n iv e r sity at P a tn a w ith th e S ta tem en t of
O bjects and R ea so n s and a sk in g for an exp ression o f
op in ion o f m y A sso c ia tio n on th e provision s of the
BilV
%
•
•
( 6
)
In rep ly I beg to subm it aa follow a
P rivfiiple o f the BUL
M y com m ittee h a v e b estow ed th eir b est co n sid er
ation upon th e p rovision s o f th e P a tn a U n iv e r sity B ill
and th e y regret to s a y th a t th e y do n ot approve of
th e principle u n d erly in g th e B ill. T h ey lo o k upon
i t as a retrograde m easure.
T h ey find ip th e provision s o f th e B ill a departure
from th e Ind ian E d ucation al p o lic y laid dow n in
th e D esp a tch o f 1854, and reaffirm ed in the E d u ca
tio n C om m ission R eport o f 1882. M y C om m ittee do
n o t th in k th a t sin c e th e d a y s o f th e U n iv e r sity C om
m issio n o f 1902 and th e In d ian U n iv e r sitie s A c t of
1904, c ircu m sta n ces h a v e arisen in th e co u n tr y to
ju stify g o in g b ack upon th e p o lic y laid dow n in the
In d ia n U n iv e r sitie s A c t o f 1904, w h ich in it s e lf a cco r d
in g to In d ia n opinion, is a restrictiv e m easure. W ith
th e rapid grow th o f ed u cation in th e c o u n tr y m y
com m ittee ex p ected lib eralization o f th e E d u ca tio n a l
p o licy in th e n e w B ill.
M y co m m ittee apprehend th a t if th e B ill a s it
stan d s be passed into law , it w ou ld reduce th e U n iv e r c ity in to a departm ent o f th e G overnm ent. T he
popular elem en t w ould be w a n tin g . T h ose w h o are
m ost fa m ilia r w ith th e e d u ca tio n a l n eed s o f th eir
cou n try w ou ld be exclu d ed from ta k in g part in th e
m an a g em en t o f th e U n iv e r sity .
*
I
• •
t
«
( 7 )
M y com m ittee do n o t b elieve th a t a b solu te official
control o f ed u ca tio n w ill im prove th e q u a lita tiv e
product o f th e U n iv e r sity . U nd er th e proposed ex
c e ssiv e control exp a n sio n of ed u ca tio n w ill n o t be
p ossible.
'M y c o m m u n ity h a v e been lo n g e n jo y in g certain
• righ ts and p riv ileg es under the C a lcu tta U n iv ersity .
S u ch rights and p riv ileg es should n ot be cu rta iled and
m y com m ittee w ou ld urge th a t th e B ill ftiay be reca st
at le a st on the lin e s o f the In d ian U n iv e r sitie s A ct,
if not further liberalized.
S hort T itle and E x te n t.
C lause 1.— A corporation ou ght to h a v e a dom icile
or a p la ce o f fou n d ation , th a t is, to b elo n g to som e
definite lo c a lity . In th e repealed A llah ab ad U n iv e r
s it y A c t ( X V I I I o f 1887) we find th a t it w a s enacted
b y sectio n 2 th a t a U n iv e r sity sh a ll bo esta b lish ed
a t A llah ab ad . In th e P a tn a U n iv e r sity B ill no dom i
c ile h a s b een g iv e n to the U n iv e r sity . W ill i t be
lo c a te d in P a tn a or P a tn a City,— w h ic h are n o w tw o
differen t lo c a litie s — h as not been stated.
From th e sp eech o f th e H o n ’ble Sir C. S ankarau
N a ir in th e C ou n cil w h ile in tro d u cin g th e B ill, it
appears th a t the S en a te H ou se o f th e U n iv e r sity
w ill be located n ear th e C ouncil H o u se a t P a tn a .
I f by C ou n cil H o u se is m eant th e (rovern m en t C ouncil
’ H o u se in the n e w C apital w h ic h ia n o w ca lled •P atn a" ,
th e n \the P a tn a C ollege and th e T rain in g C ollege for
(
*
)
8
*
tea ch ers (w h ich are situ a ted in w h a t is n o w called
P a tn a d it y and at a d ista n ce o f m ore than, a m ile from
th e easflfernmost boundary o f th e N e w C apital) w ill
h a v e to be rem oved from th eir present b u ild in gs to th e
n e w ca p ita l area. T h is.w ill cau se m uch in co n v en ien ce
and e x p e n se to th e stu d en ts.
E x te r n a l College.
C lause 2.—M y com m ittee th in k th a t th e nam e o f
th e M on ghyr D iam on d J u b ilee C ollege should be
in clu d ed in th e defin ition of th e “ E xtern al C ollege.”
, Incorporation.
C lause 3.— The pow er to hold and m a n age ed u ca
tio n a l en d ow m en ts should be g iv en in express, clear
and u nam biguous term s to a corporation. N o su ch
pow ers h ave been g iv en to th e P a tn a U n iv e r sity a s
h a v e b een g iv e n to other U n iv e r sitie s under th e In d ia n
U n iv e r sitie s A ct V I I I o f 1904. N or there is a n y pow er
g iv en to erect, equip and m a in ta in U n iv e r sity libraries^
laboratories and m u seu m s a s g iv en in th e latter A ct.
M y co m m ittee w ou ld , therefore, propose th a t sub
ca u se 3 o f c la u se 3 m ay be brought in a lin e w ith
section, 3 o f th e In d ia n U n iv e r sitie s A c t V I I I o f 1904.
*
The Chancellor.
C lau se 5.—M y com m ittee find th at it is proposed
to g iv e to th e C h ancellor o f the P a tn a U n iv e r sity
greater p ow ers th a n th ose en joyed b y th e C h an cellor
o f the eld er In d ia n U n iv e r sitie s. T he p rovision s o f
su b -cla u se 5, cla u se 5, are n e w and are n o t to be found
(
9 )
in th e In d ia n U n iv e r sitie s A ct V I I I o f 1904. T hey
are far-reach jng in thoir effect. M y co m m ittee would
urge th a t th is su b -cla u se should be om itted a lto g eth er
for th e fo llo w in g reason s
•
(a)
T he conferrin g o f pow ers on th e C hancellor
o f en q u iry in to a n y q u estio n a ffectin g th e
a d m in istra tio n o f th e U n iv e r s ity and o f
p a ssin g a n y orders w h ich h e m ay th in k
proper w o u ld m ilita te a g a in st th e le g a l
m a x im th a t a m an can n ot bo a judge of h is
o w n w rong.
The C h an cellor is o n ly a
m em ber o f th e U n iv e r sity C orporation and
o n e corporator should n o t be th e judge of
th e m al-ad m in istration o f th e Corporation
a s a B od y, o f w h ich he h im se lf is a mem ber.
(b) O cca.sions m a y arise in w h ich attem pts m a y
be m a d e to control th e U n iv e r sity by the
G overn m en t more than it w ou ld be desirable.
I t w o u ld ta k e a w a y the in d ep en d en ce and
in itia tiv e o f the S y n d ica te and the Senate.
•
S u b -C la u se d .— M y com m ittee th in k th a t the first
and e a ch su c c e e d in g S yn d icate should be appointed
by th e S en a te and n ot by th e C haflcellor. So subC lause 6 sh ou ld be om itted.
V ice-C hancellor.
C lause 6 .— M y com m ittee is stro n g ly qpposed to
the^^rovision in c la u se 6 o f th e B ill fdV a w hole tim e
%
(
10
)
V ice-C h a n eello r to be appointed b y th e L o c a l G overn
m en t v ested w ith th e jpowers o f the principal e x e c u tiv e
officer o f the U n iv ersity . U n der th e In d ia n U n iv e r si
tie s A c t V II I o f 1904 the e x e c u tiv e G overnm ent o f th e
U n iv e r s ity is v e ste d in th e S y n d ica te a n d n o t in the*
V ice-C h an cellor. M y com m ittee su g g e st th a t fo llo w
in g th e liberal departure a s m ade in th e case- o f the
B en a res H in d u U n iv e r sity th e S en ate m a y be em po
w ered to e le c t a V ice-C h an cellor. T he older U n iv e r
s itie s h a v e m anaged w ith o u t a w h o le tim e V ice -C h a n
cellor. In th e c a se o f th e P a tn a U n iv e r sity a w h o letim e V ice-C h a n cello r is not needed. I t w ou ld h ave
th e effect o f debarring the m em bers o f the le g a l and
other p rofession s, (w ho by th eir ed u ca tio n a l and other
qualificaticnR m a y be found fit to d isch arge th e d u tie s
of a V ice-C h a n cello r of a U n iv ersity , a s h a s been
the c a se in oth er parts o f India) from ever fillin g up
the office o f the V ice-C h a n cello r o f th e P a tn a U n iv er
sity .
M y com m ittee th in k th at th e
should hold office for tw o yea rs o n ly
years.
V ice-C h an cellor
n ot for five
•
M y C om m ittee, therefore, su g g e st that C lau se
m a y be am ended«as f o llo w s :—
6
F or sub-C lause (1) it m a y be stated th a t th e V ic eC han cellor sh a ll be elected by the S en a te and sh all
hold office for tw o y ea rs from the date o f h is ap p oin t
m ent, on the expiration o f w h ich period h e m ay be
re-elected from •tim e to tim e, provided th a t no s^ch
#
( n )
re-electio n sh a ll be for lon ger period than th^-t o f tw o
years.
Syndicate.
M y co m m ittee th in k th e E x ecu tiv e G overnrnent
o f the U n iv e r sity sh o u ld be v ested in th e S y n d ica te
and not in th e V ice-C h an cellor (as in S ectio n 15 o f the
U n iv er sity A c t V I I I o f 1904). T he first S y n d ica te
and the n e x t e n su in g S yn d icate is to co n sist o f 16
m em bers, in c lu d in g th e ex-officio m em bers, o f w hom
13 persons are to be elected p artly b y th e S e n a te and
partly b y th e F a c u ltie s, th e num ber to be fixed b y th e
R eg u la tio n s and th e y are to hold office for o n e y ea r
on ly. Of th e 13 persons to be elected not le s s th a n 5
sh all be h eads o f or professors o f c o lle g e s affiliated to
th e U n iv e r sity .
T he S en a te and n ot the S y n d ic a te sh ou ld h ave
power o f control o v er and su pervision o f both external
co lle g es and U n iv e r s ity C o lle g e s ..
• A cco rd in g ly in c la u se 7 sub-C lause (1) before the
w ords “ the S y n d io a te ” add th e w ords “ The E x ecu tiv e
G overnm ent o f th e U n iv e r sity sh a ll be v ested in ” and
add th e word “ it ” after th e word ‘ S y n d ica te. ’
In su b-C lau se 3 o m it the w ords from «“ nine persons
to U n iv e r sity ” and su b stitu te th e w ords ‘ 13 persons
to be elected by th e S en a te and th e F a c u ltie s from
am ongst its m em bers, o f w hom not le ss than 5 sh all be
head s o f or P rofessors o f C olleges affiliated to the U n i
v er sity .’
h
.
(
12
)
In Sub-C lause 4 for the wbrd ‘ S y n d ica te * su b stitu te
th e word ‘ S en a te ’ aijd it m ay be num bered as subC lau se 5 o f cla u se 8 .
The
S e n a te .
In th e B ill w e find the Senate is o n ly to be a d e li
berative body. I t s resolu tion s w ill not be b in d in g on
th e S y n d ica te.
B u t m y com m ittee th in k th a t the
S en a te sh a ll be th e body Corporate o f th e U n iv e r s ity
and a ll p ow ers w h ic h are conferred upon th e S e n a te
or upon th e C h ancellor, the V ice-C h a n cello r and the
F e llo w s in th eir ca p a city should be v e ste d in and
exorcised by th e S enate.
M y co m m ittee further thin k th a t the S en a te should
co n sist, b esid es ex-officio fellow s, o f not le s s th a n fifty
nor m ore th a n one hundred ordinary fe llo w s of
w hom
(o). o n e fifth sh a ll be elected by R eg istered
G r a d u a te s;
(&). o n e fifth sh a ll be elected by th e F a c u ltie s,,
and
(c). th e rem ainder sh all be n om in ated by the
C hancellor.
M y co m m ittee do not th in k that there is a n y spe
cial reason for m ak in g the P rin cip a ls o f th e G overn
m ent C olleges in the P roviu ce ex-officio fe llo w s o f the
U n iv e r sity . B u t if it be th o u g h t n e c e ssa r y to m ake
P rin c ip a ls o f co lleg es ex-officio fe llo w s o f th e U n iv e r
sity , thoii P rin cip a ls o f all C o lleges, G overn m en t and
P riv a te , be rnade ex-officio fello w s.
|
•
• >
0
9
( 13 )
M y c o m m ittee furthe*r thin k the powt?r to e le c t
orduxary fe llo w s should be gi%en to th e registered
gradu ates a t o n c e and should not bo m ade to depend
upoii a date to be determ ined by the C hancellor here• after.
■ C lause 8 —M y cofnm ittee, therefore, su g g e st th e
fo llo w in g a m en d m en ts to cla u se 8 —
S u b -clau se U ) —(a). In sub-C lause 1 for “ f o r t y ”
read “ fifty and for “ s i x t y ” read hundred.
(b).
O m it c la u s e a 1 o f sub -C lau se 1.
Su b -cla u se 3.— In su b-clause ^ 3 exp un ge w ords
from “four ord in a ry F ello w s dow n to F e llo w s” and
in sert th e fo llo w in g words; “ not J e s s th an fifty nor
m ore th an o n e hundred ordinary fe llo w s ” o f w h om
(а)
on e-fifth sh a ll be elected by R egistered G rad
u a te s.
(б )
one-fifth s h a ll be elected b y th e F a c u lties and.
\b)
the
rem aind er sh a ll
C hancellor.
be
n om in ated by
th e
P ro v iso — (jmit th e P roviso.
Sub c la u se 4.— E xp u n ge
deliberate dow n to ...b o d y .”
w ords
from “and m ay
^
T ransfer su b -cla u se 4 o f C lau se 7 a s su b -cla u se
5 of. C lause 8 w ith th e a m en d m en ts o f w ords “S en a te”
for “S y n d ic a te ” and for ‘E x tern a l C o lleg es’ su b situ te
‘E xtern al and U n iv e r sity C o lleg es.’
r.
Ldd su b -cla u se (6 ) a s follo w s.
*
(
14 )
#
“ T h e S o d y Corporate sh a ll be th e S en ate o f the
U n iv e r sity , and a ll ‘ pow ers w h ich are b y th is A ct
conferred upon th e Senate, or upon th e C hancellor,
V ice-C h a n cello r and F ello w s in th eir corporate capa
c ity sh a ll be v ested in and exercised by th e Sen ate
co n stitu te d under th is A ct,”
A ffiliation.
C lau se 9 su b -clau se 2(a).— There seem s to be no
n e c e s s ity for the restrictions in su b -clau se 2 (a) of
c la u se 9 to the effect that for the affiliation of a
C olleg e a s a C ollege o f the U n iv e r sity its b u ild in gs
should be situ a ted w ith in one m ile from th e S en ate
H o u se o f th e U n iv e r sity .
. I f it be in tend ed to erect the S en a te H o u se near
th e G o v ern m en t C ouncil H o u se w ith in th e ‘P a tn a ’
n e w C apital area, the C ollege b u ild in g o f th e P a tn a
C ollege and the T ra in in g C ollege o f T each ers w ould
h av e to be rem oved to the area. T h is w ill e n ta il m uch
u n n e c e ssa r y ex p en ses to G overnm ent and in c o n v e
n ie n c e to stu d en ts.
*
M y c o m m ittee further th in k th a t th ere are no
grou n d s for restrictin g th e area, for the esta b lish m en t
o f fu tu re E xtern al C olleges as is co n tem p la ted by
su b -c la u se 3 o f cla u se 9 o f th e B ill.
So o m it su b -cla u se 2 ( a ) and su b -cla u se (3).'
C la u se 10.— M y com m ittee th in k th a t th e proposal
to d isfr a n c h ise a C ollege should be in w ritin g . C harges
sh ou ld be fram ed 'and m ade know n to th e g<^ver^ng
0
I
(
15
)
body of th e C ollege oon<?erned and reasctos for diaaffiUation sh ou ld be m ade knojvn to the in stitu tio n
concerned.
M y co m m ittee w ould, therefore, purpose th a t the
la n g u a g e o f s e c t io a 24 o f th e In d ia n U n iv e r sitie s
A ct m ay be adopted in ste a d o f C lause 10.
D isfranchisem ent.
C lause 11— M argin al N o te s are no part o f an E nacm ent. So m y com m ittee su g g e st th a t after w ords
‘a n y C ollege’ in C lau se 11 th e w ords ‘in th e Pro
v in c e o f B ih ar and O rissa’ be added.
C lause 12—F o r th e word ‘S y n d ic a te ’ su b situ te th e
w ord ‘ S e n a te ’.
C lause 14— In su b -C lau se (1) C la u ses are to be
added g iv in g pow er to ap p oin t B oards o f stu d ies,
B oards o f A c c o u n ts, In sp ector o f C olleges, U n iv er
s ity P rofessors, R eaders, L ectu res, to keep a reg is
ter o f G raduates, to aw ard prizes and S ch olarships
• an d so forth a s i n the corresponding se c tio n o f the
In d ian U n iv ersities. A c t o f 1904Sub-C lause 2. should be am ended. T h e first R e
g u la tio n s sh a ll be fram ed by th e S eh ate. In SubC lause 2 for “ L o c a l G overnm ent” read “S en a te.”
Sub-C lause 3.— O m it Sub-C lause 3.
Sub-C lause 4.— In su b -cla u se 4 om it
“ A ft^ rth e op inion o f th e S y n d ic a te .” *
%
%
•
th§
words
( 16 )
•
Coum es *of S tu dy.
My* com m ittee ;^re grieved to learn th a t th e E x
tern a l C ollege w ill tea ch in A rts subjects o n ly up to
th e P a ss B. A., and to th e In term ed ia te S cien ce in
S cien ce Subjects. M y com m ittee th in k no su ch restrrctio u arc n ecessary. I t should be left to th e U n i
v e r sity to affiliate ex tern a l co lleg e in an y particu
lar subjects, A rts, or S cien ce, for w h ic h it m a y be*
foun d fu lly ^quipped.
M y com m ittee further urge th a t th e U n iv e r sity be
authorised to provide for F a c u ltie s o f M ed icin e, E n
g in eerin g , C om m erce, L aw , and T ech n o logy.
O R IS SA A SSO C IA T IO N .
T he S ecreta ry to th e O rissa A sso c ia tio n , C uttack,
h a s subm itted th e fo llo w in g to th e U n d er S e creta ry
to th e G overn m en t o f B ihar and O rissa, E d u cation
B ran ch , D ated, C uttack, the 27th N ovem b er 1916:— *
I n rep ly to y o u r letter N o . 1429-63E , d ated R a n c h i’
th e 23rd October, 1916, ca llin g for rem arks on th e P a tn a
U n iv e r sity B ill, I h a v e the honor to sta te th a t on a
con sid era tio n ®f th e B ill a lo n g w ith th e a cts I I o f 1857
and V n i o f 1904 and th e reg u la tio n s o f th e C alcu tta
U n iv e r sity prom ulgated by th e In d ia G overnm ent
o n 11-8-1916, the O rissa A sso c ia tio n d irect m e to sub
m it the fo lio in g opinion for th e con sid era tion o f the ^
G overnm ent.*
•
*f
#
(
17 )
•
1. T he A sso c ia tio n apprehend th a t the
to in d ic a t e a» retrograde p olicy m a k in g th e
a departm ent o f G overnm ent w h ic h w ill
•
B ill seem s
U n iv e r sity
h ard ly be
popular.
2. The A sso c ia tio n are o f o p in ion th a t O rissa w ill
n o t derive m u ch ben efit from th e proposed U n iv ersity .
U n le ss th e R a v e n sh a w C ollege— the o n ly co lleg e in
O rissa—be fu lly equipped, it w o u ld be b etter to k eep
it a s a t p resen t a ffiliated to the C a lcu tta U n iv e r sity
from w h ic h c o n n ectio n students o f O rissa w ill no doubt
ob tain better a d v a n ta g es.
•
3. The A sso c ia tio n are further o f op in ion th a t
no departure sh o u ld be m ade from th e p o lic y in d ica ted
in th e In d ia n U niv-ersities A ct V I I I o f 1904 and th e
C alcu tta U n iv e r sitie s A c t II o f 1857.
4. The V ice-C h a n cello r should be one o f th e n o n official fello w s o f th e U n iv ersity elected by the S e n a te ;
^he sh ou ld be a w h o le tim e officer o f th e U n iv e r sity .
5. E v ery rescjûtion of the S e n a te sh a ll be binding
on th e S y n d ica te and th e word “ not ” in th e la s t lin e
of su b -clau se 4 o f cla u se 8 should be om itted .
6.
T he lim ita tio n as to th e situ a tk m o f C olleges
in th e 4 principal to w n s a s sta ted in (a) o f cla u se 9
sh ou ld be om itted.
7. T he U n iv e r sity staff sh ou ld be appointed by
th e Sen ate on th e recom m en dation o f th e S y n d ica te
s u b j^ t to the confirm ation o f the C hancellor.
2
(
•
18 )
•
8.
In su b -clau se 4 o f cla u se 4— a ll p roposals for
additions, m odificatiotis or rep eal o f regula.tion sb ou id
be sub m itted to L ocal G overnm ent by the S y n d ic a te
through the S en ate.
F rom ,
B abu B A M G O P A L S IN G H C H O U D H A K I, B. L,
Jo in t-secreta ry
P ardhan B hu m ih ar B rahm an Sabha,
T o,
E . H . JO H N S T O N Esqr. I. C. S.,
U n d er-secretary to th e G overnm ent o f
B ih ar an d O rissa,
B a n c h i.
Banlcipore, the 27th o f Nove'tnber 1916.
Sib ,
W ith referen ce to you r office num ber 1429-63Edated the 23rd Oct. 1916 forw arding a cop y of the*
B ill to esta b lish and incorporate* a U n iv e r sity at
P a tn a and req uestin g m e to sen d to* th e L o c a l G o
v ern m en t a n y rem arks ■which m y a sso c ia tio n h a s
to offer on th e provision s of th e B ill, I h a v e the
honour to sta te th a t in the opin ion o f m y Sabha,
m ost o f th e p ro v isio n s o f the B ill are u n sa tisfa c to r y
and th e B ill as a w h ole if passed in to an A c t w ill
prove h ig h ly in ju riou s to the c a u se o f e d u ca tio n . It
s k e tc h e s out a U n iv e r sity o f quite a n o v e l ty p e
■wholly u n su ite d to m eet th e requirem ents o | the
V
«
( 19 )
province o f B ih ar and O rissa. M y a s s o c ia tio n is o f
opinion th a t for th e ed u cation al req uirem ents o f th e
province a U n iv e r sity better th a n e v e n th o se c o n s
titu ted by th e A c t o f 1904 is n ecessa ry . T he proposed
U n iv ersity g o es back upon even th e o ld U n iv e r sity
Act^ of the s ix tie s o f the la s t
cen tu ry. M y
Sabha th in k s th a t th e proper ty p e o f a u n iv ersity
lh a t th is provin ce should h a v e is one in w h ich
th e educated person s o f th e com m unity^ h a v e th eir
proper share o f con trol and w h ich m a k es it p o ssib le
for the sta rtin g and fosterin g o f a net-w ork o f c o lle g e s
and sch oo ls all over th e province gq th a t th e m ost
ch erish ed d esires o f our M ost G racious M a jesty
G eerge V m a y be realised . Our S abha d oes n ot w ish
to enter into m in u te criticism s o f th e'p rovision s o f th e
B ill but h a s no h e sita tio n in r e sp cctfiifly su b m ittin g
th a t the proposed h n iv e r sity is c a lc u la te d to reduce
popular control to a n u llity , and to se t back th e pro
g ress of h igher ed u ca tio n . In th e hum ble opin ion o f
th e Sabha, th e P a tn a U n iv e r sity o u g h t to
com •bine In its e lf a ll th e good featu res o f th e old A c ts
of 1857 and 1904 iin d th e n ew H ind u U n iv e r s ity A ct of
1915. In short, and in conclu sion, th e ed u cated c la sse s
should g e t a rea l v o ic e in th e ad m in istration o f the
u n iv e r sity and a ll restrictio n s on th e esta b lish m en t
o f n ew in stitu tio n s w h en ev er and w h erev er p o ssib le
and th e d cv elo p em en t o f th e e x is tin g o n es to th eir
fu ll statu re sh ou ld be com p letely done a w a y w ith.
I f th e G overnm ent does not find it possib le to ,m o d ify
th e ploviSK
p lo v isio n s of th e B ill as suggestccP above, th e
r
( 30 )
Sabha fe r v e n tly p rays flia t the L o ca l G overnm ent
w o u ld be p leased
a d v ise th e G overn m eiit of In d ia
to drop a ltogeth er su ch a h ig h ly co n troversial m easui'e as th a t in questton in th is tim e of stress and
w ar, w h en H is M a je sty ’s lo y a l subjects m a y n o t *bQ
d istracted in m ind.
I h a v e th e honour to be,
Sir,
•
,
Y our m o st obedient servan t.
T H E M U S L IM L E A G U E .
T he H on ’ble K han Bahadur M aulvi Syed Ahm ad
H ussain, B. A- B. L-, P resid en t D istrict M oslem L ea
g u e, M uzafferpur, h as sen t th e fo llo w in g o p in ion on
th e P a tn a U n iv e r sity B ill to the G overnm ent o f B ihar
and O rissa a s requested by t h e m :— H a v in g regard to
th e A c t 11 o f 1857 a s am ended by th e Im perial Afit
V I I I o f 1904 under w h ic h th e Calcaitta U n iv e r s ity is*
w orking, and ed u ca tin g the p eop le o f B ih ar and
O rissa w e ex p ected thatr the P a tn a U n iv e r sity B ill
w ill be fram ed on the lin es o f th e C alcu tta U n iv ersity ,
“We w ere further assured by H is H on our th e L iu ten an t
G overnor o f B ih ar and O rissa by h is sp eech delivered
a t R a n ch i on 5th A u g u st 1916 and pu blished in the
B ih a r and O rissa G azette o f th e 16th A u g u st 1916
th a t a s.th e fu ll sch em es for th e E sta b lish m en t of th e*
P a tn a U n iv e r sity could not be g iv en ejffe
f f e c ttlt
lto on
• >
*
(
)
21
•
•
accou n t of th e fin ancial difficulties due to th e p fesen t
war, the U n iv e r s ity w ou ld as a tem porary arrangem ent
o n ly be co n stitu ted on th e line^ o f A lla h a b a d U n iver
sity , and the n e c e ssa r y leg isla tio n w ill bo m ade by th e
Im perial C ouncil, in th is conn ection . T he B ill under
con sid eration does n o t adopt th e lin es o f eith er th e
/.lla h a b a d ' U n iv e r s ity or in fact a n y other ex istin g
In d ian U n iv e r sitie s.
T he people are g r e a tly d issatisfied w it^ th e present
B ill and desire to h a v e an U n iv ersity b ased upon libe
ral princip les and superior even to th e C alcu tta and
A llah ab ad U n iv e r sity .
T he B ill under consideration pre-supposos th a t
ev ery C ollege nam ed in Sec. 2 o f th e B ill o u g h t to be
r esid en tia l C o lleg es th o u g h it is not so f u lly defined
in the B ill as to w h a t is m eant by a resid en tia l college.
In th e C alcu tta U n iv e r s ity at first there w a s no resi
d e n tia l C ollege th o u g h h o ste ls on sm a ll sc a le appear
to h ave been a tta ch ed to certain C olleges but the
•m ajority o f stu dent* are d ay Scholars. In th is B ill
no p rovision h a s4 )een m ade for th e d ay sch olars. I t
w ould be m u ch b etter if th e tw o c la s s e s o f co lleg es
viz (U th e R esid en tia l C olleges and (2) ^the n on -resid en tia l C o lleg es sh ou ld be defined in the B ill itself.
In private u n d erta k in g for th e esta b lish m en t of
co lle g e s scope sh ou ld be g iv en for sta rtin g tea ch in g
c o lle g e s at p resen t and th e P atna U n iv e r sity should be
a tea ch in g and e x a m in in g U n iv ersity for tjiose co lleg es
w h ic h lw c *Lon-residential ju st as is th e c a s e w ith th e
( 22 )
•
•
C a lc u tta and other In d ia n U n iv ersities w h ich arc princip a lfy tea ch in g efnd exa m in in g U n iv e r sities. R e s
trictio n to esta b lish co lleg es w ith in a m ile from th e
S e n a te hou se a t P a tn a and in the to w n s nam ed in th e
B ill is h ig h ly prejudicial to the spread o f h ig h educatio-n and should be rem oved from the B ill. In Purnea>
M anbhum , S o n ta l P arg a n a s, Chapra and oth er impor^
ta n t d istricts there is a g rea t need o f esta b lish in g coll
eg e s. T he num ber o f e x istin g co lleg es in th e P ro v in ce
i s v e r y sm a ll and a la rg e num ber o f stu d en ts are every
y e a r refused a d m ission for w a n t o f su fficien t accom
m od ation.
•
I h a v e con su lted m a n y g en tlem en w ho h a v e d evot
ed a portion o f th eir life to the ca u se of ed u cation .
T h ey are u n a n im o u sly o f opinion th a t th e V iceC h ancellor m u st a w a y s be an honorary officer and
h e sh ou ld be elected by the m em bers o f th e Sen ate.
I also accord w ith th eir view s.
On the q u estion o f the Senate and th e S yn d icate
m y idea is th a t th e S en a te should be con stitu ted on
liberal princip les and n ot le ss th an h a lf o f th e members*
m u st be elected by R egistered G raduates and F a c u ltie s.
T h e entire m an agem en t o f the U n iv e r sity ou gh t to
rem ain in the* h an d s o f th e S en ate. T heir resolu tion s
sh ou ld be m ade binding on th e S y n d ica te, th e duty
o f w h ich w ill be to carry th em in to effect.
T he num ber o f the S en a te should not be le ss th an
100 and th a t o f the S y n d ica te not le s s th a n 20 and
in th e base
th e S en a te there should be a n o n -o ffic ia l"
m ajority.
■i
( 2S )
Tho draft B ill d oes » o t define and c la ssify th e
fello w s. T his should bo provided for in the A c t itse lf.
T he pow er o f th e C han cellor a s regards in q u iry
a s g iv en in S ectio n 4 ,clause»{V) and th a t o f th e L o c a l
•G overnm ent a s regards ex clu sio n o f C olleges from
th e p rivilege o f the U n iv e r sity a s given, in. S ec tio n 10
C lause-{IV ; are very strin g en t and require su b sta n tia l
m odification. T he pow er o f affiliation and dis-affiliatio n m u st a lw a y s be on the report o f th e S e n a te , an d
S y n d ic a te w ith th e approval o f th e C hancellor.
A s regards th e regu lations It is m ost desirable th a t
th e y should be fram ed by the SenaJ;e, w ith th e approval
o f th e C hancellor.
T h e M atricu la tio n S ch ools sh 6 uld as in th e C al
cu tta U n iv e r sity be under the co n tro l o f th e P a tn a
U n iv ersity .
In co n clu sio n I sa y th a t a n y th in g in th e B ill
w h ic h is a g a in st popular opin ion and w h ic h ten d s to
retard higher ed u ca tio n should be carefu lly exam in ed
a n d elim iu a tcd from th e B ill.
T H E B E H A R P R O V IN C IA L C O N G R E SS
C O M M IT T EE , M E E T IN G I N
B A N K IP O R E . *
The fo llo w in g resolu tion s w ere u n a n im o u sly adopt
ed a t a m eetin g o f th e B ehar P ro v in cia l C ongress Com
m ittee, under th e presid en tship o f th e H o n ’ble Mr.
JkA:iharul
•
sA:ihar H aque.
r
( u
)
T h at tlje B eh a r and O rissa C ongress Committee?
GTnphatlcaliy p rotest a g a in st th e p rin cip les u n d erlyin g
th e P a tn a Universit^^ B ill ■which are cTf a h ig h ly
retrograde ch aracter a n d . are d elib era tely o f opinion
th a t u n le ss th e provision s o f th e B ill are m odified,
in the foU ow ing resp ects, it w ou ld n o t be con d u cive
to th e'b est in terests o f th e P rovin ce to h a v e a separate
U n iv e r s it y :—
(1) The pow ers o f th e G hancellor should be the
sa m e a s th ose o f th e C hancellors o f the e x istin g In d ian
U n iv e r sitie s governed by the A c t o f 1904 ex cep t th a t
th e V ice-C hancellor^should not be nom inated by h im
but be elected b y the S enate.
(2) T h e V ice-C han cellor should be an honorary
officer and should be elected by th e Senate for a term
o f years. H is pow ers sh ou ld be the sam e as in the
e x istin g U n iv e r sitie s.
(3) T h e S y n d ica te should c o n sist o f th e V iceC hancellor and m em bers elected by th e S en ate and
th e F a c u ltie s o n ly w ith o u t a n y n om in ation b y the
G overnm ent.
(4) T hat the S en a te sh ou ld co n sist o f not le ss th an
81 m em bers o f w hom one-third should be e le cted by
th e g rad u ates, ono-third by the fa c u ltie s and one-third
to be nom inated by the G overnm ent.
(5) T he S en ate should h a v e power to fram e reg u la
tions, and should h a v e fu ll and effective control over
the affairs o f th« U n iv ersity . I t should also be g i'^
i ^ iu
■ >
( 25 )
th e pow er to reco g n ise scKbols and to reg u la te th e
M articu lation E xam in ation . T he ^rst sot o f R eg u la
tio n s sh ou ld a lso be fram ed by th e S en ate.
(6 ) T here should be no res*triction to th e o p en in g
o f n ew C olleges w herever there m a y be dem and for
them or for th e affiliation of a n y C ollege in a n y s.ubject and -to a n y standard, provided it is properly and
’ ad eq u ately equipped.
(7) N o in stitu tio n should be disaffiliated w ith ou t
th e con cu rren ce o f th e Sen a te, and the L o ca l G overn
m ent.
(8 )
The A c t should also
la y down the
office of th e V ice-C h an cellor, the .S en ate
S y n d ica te in clu d in g th e first S enate.
term s of
and
the
( 9 ) G raduates o f U n iv e r sitie s—in clu d in g in th is
category m em bers o f th e E n g lish and Irish Bars
and A d vocates o f th e S cotlan d —w ho are residents of
the P rovin ce sh ou ld be g iv en an option to get them f^ lves registered , and th ese registered graduates
■^d h ave the aam e rights and p riv ileg es as th o se
registered g rad u ates o f the C alcu tta
u ld be F a c u ltie s *of A r ts , S cien ce,
ig in eerin g , T ech n o lo g y , A gricu lture
n tm en t o f tea ch in g sta ff o f the U n iw ith th e S en a te on th e recq m m en -
iiicate.
•
(
26
)
T H E 'S lS T -IN D IA N N A T IO N A L
T
h e
P
a tn a
*U
n iv e r s it y
C O N G R E SS.
B
il l
.
T h is C ongress places on record its em p h atic prcte*st
a g a in st th e h ig h ly retrograde ch aracter o f th e P atn a
U n iv e r sity B ill and stron gly urges th a t it ’sh ou ld be^
so am ended a s to m ake it a thoroughly 'lib eral and
progressive m easure.
T h e H o n ’ble Mr. R . P . P aran jp ye in m o v in g the
resolu tion, s a id ;—
L a d ies and g en tlem en .—A s regards th e term s o f the
resolution it w as. the opinion o f som e m em bers th a t
th is resolution should be rather o f a m ore d etailed ch a
racter, but th e term s o f the B ill w h ich it is proposed to
condem n in th is resolu tion are so w h o lly bad th a t the
len g th o f th e resolution w ould h a v e been ex ceed in g ly
bad and con seq u en tly it w as th ou gh t better th a t the
speakers to th is resolu tion sh ou ld d eta il th e varioins
provision s to w h ich objection h a s Jo be tak en , and,
hope in th e few m in u tes th a t I sh a ll .stan d bj
to co n v in ce you th at m ost o f the details,^
en tir e ly to be condem ned.
Mr. P resident, the large gathe:j
before u s o w es its ex iste n c e to tl
Engli.sh ed ucation in th is country,]
is b ecau se w e feel th at the introducti
introdutstion, of w estern education
th e progress o f th e country, th at
(
27
)
care upon a n y proposal ^ o s e effect w ill be *to stop that
progress of E n g lish education. , I t is because w e feel
th a t th e con sequ en ce o f th is B ill w ill be to retard the
spread o f E n g lish education th a t w e th in k th a t th is
’ bill is so e n tir e ly o f a retrograde character. The u n i
v e rsitie s in In d ia w ere first started in th e y ea rs 1858
and 1859. T he U n iv e r sity of C alcutta w a s first estab
lish ed in l8 5 8 and th ose o f B om bay and M adras fo llo w
ed in th e year 1859. S in ce th en in sp ite of th e v a rio u s
sh ortco m in g s— for w h a t h um an in stitu tio n , w h a t n ew
hum an in stitu tio n in particular, is n ot fu ll o f short
co m in g s— sin c e th e n in spite
th eir sh ortcom ings
th o se u n iv e r sitie s and the other U n iv e r sitie s of th e
P unjab and A llah ab ad that w ere started later on, 'have
done e x c e e d in g ly g rea t w ork. In d ia w ou ld not h ave
been w h a t it is but for the e x iste n c e o f th e se u n iversi
ties. T h ese u n iv e r sitie s, I sa y , h a v e done th eir good
w ork, and w e w a n t th a t in th e n e w u n iv e r sities th a t
are to be started in th is cou n try all th e good p oin ts of
th e older u n iv e r sitie s should be preserved as far as
possib le. W g Want th a t further good p oin ts sh ou ld be
introduced ifi th e n e w u n iv e r sitie s and th a t th e y
sh o u ld n o t be em a scu la ted and a ll th eir u sefu ln ess
ta k en a w a y .
• ^
L a d ies and gen tlem en , th e co n stitu tio n o f the
presen t u n iv e r sitie s, w e know , is u n sa tisfactory.
A n oth er reso lu tio n w ill deal to a certa in ex ten t w ith
som e of th e p o in ts in th e co n stitu tio n o f the present
u n iv ersities. W h a tev er th a t m a y be, our p resen t univ e ljitig s are to som e ex ten t su scep tib le to popular
(
28
)
influen ce. .T hey fa ir ly o fteil reflect public op in ion .
O n ly in B om bay during the la st fo rtn igh t w e h ave had
th e B om bay U n iv e r sity also p a ssin g a resolu tion in
condem nation o f th e bill a g a in st w h ic h I am risin g to
speak to day, and I hope th a t other u n iv e r sitie s in th is *
cou n try w ill fo llo w the exam p le o f th e B om bay iJnLva rsity and record th eir em p h a tic p rotest a g a in st th e
bill. The p resen t u n iv e r sitie s, then , h a v e a eo n stitu ttion w h ich is n ot v ery liberal but w h ich w o hop e w ill
be soon liberalized by a n am ending A c t in th e Im p erial
C ouncil. B u t w h en w o are th in k in g o f a m en d in g th e
con stitu tio n o f the i^resent u n iv e r sitie s to m ak e th em
m ore liberal w h a t does th e present P a tn a U n iv e r sity
b ill con tem p late ? T h is bill con tem p lates sta r tin g a
u n iv ersity w h ic h is a u n iv ersity o n ly in n am e. It
w ould he a m ere departm ent of G overn m ent. T he
present u n iv e r sitie s for in&tance h a v e th e fo llo w in g
co n stitu ted au th orities. F irst o f all at th e head of a
u n iv ersity is th e C hancellor. U n der him th ere is th e
vice-ch a n cello r w h o is th e president o f th e sen ate in
the ab sen ce o f th e C hancellor and w h o is to a certa in
e x te n t an ornam ental head of the univ^jrsity. T h en
th ere is th e sen a te w h ich is th e ch ief g o v ern in g body
of th e u n iv ersity . Tilie se n a te of th e th ree large u n i'
versvties h ave 1 0 (T fellow s ou t of w hom 80 are n o m in a
ted b y th e G overnm ent, 10 are elected by registered
grad u ates and 1 0 by th e f a c u lt ie s ; so th a t th e popular
elem e n t in th e se n a te s rea lly c o n sists o f th e 1 0 elected
by th e registered g rad u ates and to a certa in e x te n t of
th e 10 th a t ar 8 elected b y th e factilties. B y t yl^ n
t
{
29
)
•
t
■with th a t in sp ito o f th e 80 n om in a tio n s o f th e G overn
m ent our u jiiv ersities, a s I hav» said, are su scep tib le
to popular in flu en ce. Then, after the sen a te th e y h ave
g ot an e x e c u tiv e body w h ich is called th e sy n d ic a te .
‘ T he sy n d ic a te is r e a lly sp eak in g a com m ittee o f th e
sen a te e le c te d w h o lly by the sen a te ex cep t th e-V ic eC hancellor w h o is its president and th e director o f
public in stru ctio n w h o under Lord Curzon’s sch em e
h a s b ecom e a n ex-officio m em ber o f -thG sy n d ic a te.
Before th a t th ere w a s no director o f p u blic in stru ctio n
as ex-officio m em ber o f the sy n d ica te. The sy n d ic a te
w a s w h o lly e le c te d b y the sen ate. T he sy n d ica te is
th en an ex ecu tiv e body, and alth ou gh it is a sta tu tory
body under th e n e w U n iv ersities A c t it is p ra c tic a lly
resp onsible to th e sen a te although, let m e sa y in p a ss
in g it h as b een found to be ith e g ra d u a lly ex ten d in g
ten d e n c y o f th e p resen t sy n d ica tes th a t th e y are tr y in g
to usurp m ore and m ore pow er into th eir hands and it
is a ten d en cy w h ic h popular m em bers in th e se n a tes are
* a lw a y s try in g to com bat. W ell, w h a t d oes the n ew
U n iv e r sity B ill do ? T he N e w U n iv e r sity B ill tr ie s to
so lv e the old d ifficu lty by g iv in g th e w h o le pow er to
th e sy n d ica te. T he sen a te is to be a m ere d ebating
club in th e n e w U n iv ersity . The c ia u se s in th e bill
d istin c tly s a y th a t th e sen ate i s to be a m erely d elib e
rative body and th a t its d ecisio n s are n o t to be b inding
on the sy n d ica te. T he sen a te therefore m ay p ossib ly
be an ornam ental body but it w ill be a body w ith o u t a
soul. A g a in a s regards th e co n stitu tio n of^the syn d icate if y; is to be w h o lly elected by th e sen a te, it m igh t
1-
( 30 )
be som ethiftg. B ut w h a t Is tf.o co n stitu tio n o f th e pro
posed sy n d ica te ? T)\e sy n d ica te is to c o n sist of 1 &
m em bers. T here is th e V ice-C h an cellor on it. T he
director o f public instru ction o f B ihar and O rissa is
a lso to be on it. N o t content w ith th e se tw o b ig '
and iniportant o fficials on th e sy n d ica te, remerribef,
w h ose in flu en ce w ill be not proportionate to th eir
m ere num bers but to the im portant o ffic ia l-p o sitio n s
th e y o ccu p y, the C hancellor, -who is to be the L ie u
tenant-G overn or o f B ih ar and G rissa, reserves to
h im se lf th e righ t o f n o m in atin g 4 m em bers to th e
sy n d ica te. O ver a n 4 above th a t, five other m em bers
are to be selected from ed u ca tio n a l officers or m e m
bers o f th e sta ffs of* the co lleg es. M ost o f th e se co l
le g e s are to be G ovorninent in stitu tio n s and m o st of
th ese 5 m em bers I exp ect, w ill be also G overnm ent
officials or w ill be in the hands o f th e G overn m en t
itself. A nd o n ly th ere w ill be 3 or 4 oth ers i f at all
w h o w ill represent popular opinion. W hat w ill hap
pen is th a t th ese popular m em bers on th e sy n d ic a te
m ay cry th e m se lv e s hoarse over a n y rea ction ary
proposals, b u t th e official m em bers on < he sy n d ic a te
w ill be able to carry out a'yy proposal th a t th e y m ay
h ave g o t in t h e n m inds and do v/h atever th e y like
w ith th e sy ste m of h ig h er ed u cation in th e province.
There is th e sy n d ica te and the se n a te w h ich , as I h ave
told yo u , is a body w ith o u t a soul, the sy n d ica te h a v
in g a ll th e pow er in its hands, w h ic h is p r a c tica lly a
G overnm ent body. The G overnm ent is n o t ev en con
ten t w ith th at. A further cla u se in the bill sjays^^h
a y s fhat
(
31
)
th e C hancellor, if h e is n o t co n ten t w ith Anything:
that the U n iv e r sity h a s done, ciy i appoint air extra
body to cnquiro in to a n y th in g th a t he lik e s— not on ly
to enquire but to force h is co n clu sio n s on th e U n iver
sity after m erely a form al co n su lta tio n w ith tho syn d i
cate. '*\Vhat is th is body ? It is ca lled a U n iv er sity ,
hut I do n ot th in k it is a n y th in g m ore th an a depart
m ent o f G overnm ent. I f w e w an t true h ig h er educa
tion to grow lu x u r ia n tly in th e cou ntry w e can n ot
a llo w a dep artm ent o f G overnm ent to 'b o in charge of
th e w h o le sy ste m o f h ig h er education. In oth er U n i
versities th e V ice-C h an cellor is the .C h airm an of the
syn d ica te. H e is an honorary officer and h e is appointed
by th e G overnm ent and h e p resides crver th e m eetin gs
o f th e sen a te. W h a t is he in th e P a tn a U n iv e r sity ?
H e is to be a paid official o f th e G overnm ent under
th e beh ests o f th e G overnm ent and w ill carry out all
orders o f th e G overnm ent and a c la u se in th e bill
sa y s th a t ev ery pow er w h ich is n ot reserved by the
regu la tio n s to th e sy n d ic a te is to be in th e hands
of th e V ice-C hanftellor, w h o is to be a kind o f resi
duary leg a tee, ih th e U n iv e r sity . T h at is about the
co n stitu tio n o f th e u n iv e r sity w h ich , a s y o u w ill find
from th e sh ort d escrip tion I h a f e ^ g iv e n you, is
w h o lly rea ction ary, is en tirely incap able o f respon
d in g to public dem and and public opinion. B u t th a t
is not all. T here are v a rio u s oth er c la u se s in th e bill.
T h is u n iv ersity w ill be, is pretended to bp, a residen
tia l u n iversity. . I h a v e no objection to a resid en tial
univ^ît^' as su c h but th is u n iv ersity is, if I m a y
( 32
)
s a y so, fteither fish, fow l nor good red herring. It
is n eith er a resid eijtial U n iv e r sity norân affiliating
on e. I t is a com pound of both and m ix es th e bad
in gred ien ts o f both theSe kinds o f u n iv e r sitie s w ith
o u t h a v in g a n y o f the ad van tages o f either. Before
I com e to th is jo in t nature o f th is u n iv ersity I w ould
m ake a fe w rem arks on resid en tial and affiliatin g
u n iv ersities. I m y se lf have been a m em ber of both.
I n B om bay I had b een a stu d en t o f an affiliating
u n iv ersity , and in Cam bridge I had b een a stu d en t
of a residen tial u n iversity, and far bo it from m e
to s a y th a t resid en tia l u n iv e r sitie s lik e C am bridge
or Oxford are en tirely u seless. T h ey are e x cee d in g ly
im p ortant and if w e could introdnne Oxford or
Cam bridge a s th e y are and not sim p ly a s a body w ith
o u t sou l, w e should be ex ceed in g ly g la d and higher
ed u ca tio n in In d ia w ould receive an im p etu s w h ic h it
cou ld n ot receive in a n y other w ay. L e t m e te ll you
th a t resid en tial u n iv e r sitie s serve one d istin c t purpose.
A n yb ody w h o h a s b een to Oxford and C am bridge wilT
t e ll y o u that th e y arc very eip eH siv e u n iv ersities.
T h ey arc n ot u n iv e r sitie s for th e ffommon people.
I n E n glan d over and above O xford and C am bridge
th ere are various*other provincial u n iv e r sities. M ore
over, th ere are im portant Scotch u n iv e r sitie s w h ich
are poor m en ’s u n iv ersities by m e a n s o f w h ic h th e
poor m an g e ts h ig h er education. Oxford an d Cam
bridge subserve the n eed s o f the rich c la s s of E ngland
w h o can*afford to spend £300 or £400 a y ea r. P eop le
com e to Oxford and Cam bridge to g e t ed u ija tiiii no-
( 33
)
doubt, but o n ly to g et a certain Stuiiuara o f g e n tility
and p osition w h ic h Oxford and ^Cambridge o n ly can
giv e. I f w e are to start in th e province o n ly o n e u n i
v ersity pretended to be an Im ita tio n o f Oxford and
€am bridgo h a v in g none o f th eir ad van tages, w h a t is
th e ^ o d o f it? W h a t is th e good o f a u n iv ersity lik e
th a t for the purposes o f Ind ia w here w o h ave n o t got
a large c la ss o f rich people w ho can spend m ore m o
n e y on the ed u ca tio n o f th eir children.
It is not
possible to h ave a resid en tia l u n iv e r sity alon e in a n y
country. I h ave n o objection to resid en tia l u n iv ersi
tie s at all, but th e y are to be in ad dition to affiliatin g
univerv'sities and n o t su b stitu tes for affiliatin g univerties. T h is P a tn a U n iv e r sity , a s I h a v e said, is to be,
is pretended to be, a residen tial u n iversity. T he on ly
resid en tia ln ess th a t I sec in th e co n stitu tio n is that
no n ew college is to bo started in P a tn a w h ich is not
w ith in a radius o f one m ile from the S en a te h ou se of
th e P a tn a U n iv e r sity . A very im portant p rovision of
th is B ill is th a t n o n ew c o lle g e s are to bo started
' ex ce p t in P atn a, «as I h ave said, and in four other
p la ces o f the p rovince. A t present th e province of
B ih ar and O rissa is b adly provided w ith co lleg es.
T here are tw o or th ree co lle g e s in P a tn a and there are
5 co lle g e s in 5 other cen tres. N o w , it is proposed
under th is B ill th at o f th ese c o lle g e s one co lleg e is to
be k illed outright. T he co lleg e a t M onghyr is to be
en tir ely stopped b eca u se, it is said, it is n ot a large
co llege nor an efficient co lleg e. T h e co lle g e s are to be
allow ed to.rem ain in 4 other cen tres in a state so to
3
(
•
34
)
•
sa y o f suspended an im a tio n , b ecause, alth ou gh thcao
co lleg es are allow ed flo rem ain in other cen tres th e y
are strictly for-bidden to ,teach a n y but th e m ost ele
m en ta ry subjects and n o t hon ours su bjects and not
a t a ll for th e B . Sc. and I. Sc. T he c ^ le g o
a t C uttack o n ly is to be affiliated for honours *in
B. A . and for th e p a ss degree in B. Sc. J u st see tlie parti
cu la r em p h asis on ta k in g a w a y all afhiration from
th e se o u tsid e co lle g e s for a n y th in g th a t w ill raise
th eir im portance. I t is proposed in fa ct to k ill all
m o fu ssil co lle g e s to bring ev ery th in g to P a tn a . There
w a s in th e Unive*rsity o f Cam bridge a co lleg e w h ich
w a s .started on th is principle. Cardinal W o o lsey
«
th ou g h t o f sta rtin g a co lleg e in Cam bridge. W h a t
did he do ? H o did n ot spend any m on ey o f h is ow n.
H e took th e endow m ent o f other co lle g e s and stopped
th ose co lleg es and he bu ilt th e n ew one. T h a t m ight
be possjblo in Cam bridge in th e d a y s o f H en ry V III.
B u t th a t w on ’t do in th ese d a y s....N o w , y o u can take
it from m e a s a teacher th at a tea ch er alw ay.s asp ires
to tea ch to th e h ig h est exten t th a t fs possib le. I f you
tell a te a c h e r : ‘ Y ou h ave to te a c h o n ly e lem en ta ry
subjects and n ot h igh er m a th em a tics, e tc .,’ h e w ill
lo se all in t e r e s t ; y o u m ust a llo w th e in stitu tio n s
proper liberty to expand, g iv e th em proper scope for
im provem ent. I f you once for all te ll th em th a t th e y
are to proceed to a certain ex te n t and no more, th ose
in stitu tio n s are n ot lik e ly to be v ery efficient. B y all
mea23s insist* on proper co n d itio n s. I f th e cojleges
aspire to tea ch h igh er subjects in S c ie n c e ask t ^ m to
( 35 )
provide for th e proper teaah in g o f th ose su b jects, ask
them to provide proper sc ie n c e laboratories, proper
m u seu m s, pi-oper -workshops, etc.* I f th e y ask for per
m issio n to tea ch subjects, ,such a s p h ilo so p h y and
S a n sk rit, a sk th em to have proper and adequate staff.
A4141iesQ co n d itio n s nobody objects to. I f y o u sa y
th a t th e y are to be m erely pass c o lle g e s and can never
hop e to rise further then I s a y th o se in stitu tio n s are
p r a c tic a lly half-dead . N o t o n ly from th e p oin t o f v iew
o f th e in stitu tio n s th em selv es. I lo o k ait it m ore from
th e point o f v ie w o f stu d en ts. W h at i f stu d en ts are
not able to afford to go to P a tn a for h ig h er education ?
Are y o u g o in g to condem n all th e y o h th s o f th e P rovince
to a m ere p a ss d egree, and th a t o n ly if th e y are born
in th ose few lcen trea in w h ich th e c o lle g e s are? Y ou
m u st a lw a y s see th a t th e In d ia n stu d en t is a lw a y s a
poor stu den t and th e g a te s o f w e a lth are n o t open to
him . W o m u st in a n y ed u cation al sy ste m , th a t w o are
sta rtin g , con sid er a lw a y s th is fa ct th a t our stu d en ts
, are poor and w e m u st ta k e in to proper a ccou n t the
co n d itio n o f th e se poor stu d en ts and see h o w fa c ilitie s
are to be provided for th eir edu cation . M ost o f the
stu d en ts are i>oor. E verybody in B ih ar and Oris.sa
ca n n o t afford to g o to P a tn a aifd e v en th o se fe w centres.
T h e B ill provides th a t no n ew c o lle g e s ^ r e t o be started
in a n y other cen tre. L e t u s se e h ow n ew private
c o lle g e s a r e g o n e r a lly started. N o w co lle g e s are start
ed from variou s m otives. G enerally so m e philanthro
p ic m an qjt som e public .spirited m an w a n ts to start a
collogo in h is ow n p lace or w a n ts to g e t fame, in his
<
(
36 )
ow n circle*. T h at is a v ery n atu ral am bition and wo
n eed n ot spurn or c;pndemn th a t am bition because
everybody is n ot w h o lly philanthropic. N e w co lleg es
in all parts o f th e country are started from th is double
m otiv e. T here is th e ph ilan th rop ic m otive and therd
i s th e personal m otive o f glory and fam e. W h ere w jll
y o u th in k th a t a m an w ould sta rt a c o lle g e ? N o t
in an y p lace w here th e m en w ith w hom he- i s a sso ci
ated w ill nev^r see. M ost o f th e u n iv e r sitie s are
started in th is m anner. O nly r e c e n tly in B ristol, for
in sta n ce, a U n iv e r sity w a s started from the don ation
o f one sin g e individ ual. A ll th e P ro v in cial U n iv e rc itic s are started in th is m anner. T he M a n c h e ste r
U n iv e r sity rose frohi o n e oollego, O w en c o lle g e , w h ic h
is the g ift o f o n e m an. The B irm ingh am U n iv e r sity
also rose in th e sam e w a y . M a n y o f th e private
c o lle g e s in th is cou n try also h a v e risen lik e th a t, and
it is o n ly by stim u la tin g popular lib era lity to a certain
exten t, by stim u la tin g this, le g itim a te am bition for
fam e and glory th a t w e sh all bo able to g e t m an y*
public in stitu tio n s. T h is m ethod o f confining all higher
in stitu tio n s to o n ly four cen tres w ill kfll th e fou n tain
o f th is philanthropy a t jjs v e r y sou rce.
N o t o n ly t h f ^ th ere is a fu rth er g rievan ce. W e
h a v e 'b e e n h ea rin g in th is cou n try, from all parts of
th e country, the cry o f co n g estio n in colleges. E very
w h ere stu d en ts are b eing refused a d m ission into
colleg es, becau se there is no room for them , b ecau se
th ere are*vari(ûs resolu tion s about a d m ission s requir
in g that su ch and su ch p rovision s sh o u ld jjc ^ a d e ,
•
( 37 )
and the co lle g e s arc not* ready and con^cquentry
hundreds o f stu d en ts are g o in g aw a y , b ein g .tu rn ed
o u t from, the g a te s o f the c o lle g e s sim p ly b ecau se
th ere is no room for them . * A n d it is a v e r y p itifu l
sig h t to see th a t y o u n g m en from w h om good th in g s
are* e5tpected are d en ied opportunities o f rea lizin g th e
best th a t-is in th em . W hen th e c o lle g e s are to be
confined to a sm a ll num ber for a ll tim e to com e, w h at
is to be done w ith th e grow in g numbêr o f y o u n g
stu d en ts th a t a sp ire to g e t h igh er ed u cation ? A fter
all, w o m u st see th a t th e future o f th is country is
dependent upon th e w ider spread ôf edu cation. I f
WG arc g o in g to te ll th ese y o u n g m en th a t w e are
n o t g o in g to m a k e p rovision for h ig h er ed u cation for
th em , th e y are su re to be m o st d iscon ten ted . Even,
p o litic a lly the r e su lt o f su ch a sta te o f th in g s is bound
to b e very bad, and I, therefore, sa y th a t the cona^
titu tio n o f th is U n iv e r sity , from th e point o f v ie w o f
th ese extern al a n d internal c o lle g e s, is p o ssib ly th e
V o r st featu re o f th is B ill. B y a ll m ea n s, as I h ave
said, require any^ co n d itio n s to be fu lfilled before
affilia tin g a c o lle g e , but do n o t o n ce for a ll elam the
doors in th e fa ce o f stu d en ts.
•
L a d ie s and g en tlem en , th e grievantfe is n o t a pro
v in c ia l griev a n ce m erely, alth o u g h B ihar is first in
front o f th is danger. T he future o f B ih ar o f course
is bound up w ith a proper U n iv e r sity , is bound up
w ith th e ex iste n c e ofi^roper fa c ilitie s for h ig h er educa
tion.* T he w h o le future depends on w h ^ h e r th e y are
<
( 38 )
g o in g to, g e t a U n iv e r sity resp onsive to public ideas
and capable o f co n tin u o u s developm ent. B u t over
and above th a t therfi is the w id er point *of v iew , th e
point o f v ie w o f th e w h o le o f India. R em em ber th a t
th e 5 U n iv e r sitie s and the six th th a t is n o w beiijg
started w ill not do for th e w h olo cou n try for aUrtinio.
E ven a sm a ll cou n try lik e E n glan d h as g o t ,15 or’ 16
U n iv e r sitie s, and G erm any h as g o t over 30 and little * /
Ita ly h as g o t 20 U n iv e r sitie s. In d ia is n o t goin g to
be sa tisfied V i t h 5 or 6 U n iv e r sitie s for a ll tim e to
com e. F or th e proper provision o f U n iv e r sity ed u ca
tio n several U n iv e r sitie s—I w a s g o in g to s a y hundreds
of U n iv e r sitie s,— are required. A ll rea d y w e aro
h ea rin g o f suhoipes for n ew U n iv ersities for Burm a,
for D acca, for th e Central P ro v in ces, and our late
G overnor told u s th a t w e w ere lik e ly to h a v e U n iv er
sitie s
P o on a, A hm edabad and K arachi. T he M adras
people are ta lk in g o f a U n iv e r sity for th e A ndhras,
a n e w U n iv e r sity a t T rich lnop oly, etc. There are
m a n y other sch em es also. R em em ber th a t all th e se
U n iv ersities th a t are in con tem p lation are bound to •
becom e m atters o f practical p o litics .sooner or la ter;
and therefore i f w e a llo w a reactio n a ry B ill of th is
typ e to be on ce, placed on th e statute-book, the new
U n iv e r sitie s w^H n ot co n ta in a n y o f th e fe w liberal
provision s th a t are a t p resen t e x istin g in our older
U n iv e r sitie s ; all th e new U n iv e r sitie s w ill be m od ell
ed upon th e n ew P a tn a U niver.sity. It is, therefore,
a qu estip n n ot o n ly for B ihar and O rissa. I t is a v ery *
v ita l questiofi for the w holo o f In d ia and it iS very
«
( 39 )
•
im portant th a t th is C ongress should declare? Its cmp h atio protegfr. B ih a r h a s alread y done its* duty.
B ih ar h as recorded its em phatic p rotest in a sp ecial
se ssio n o f th e B ih a r P ro v in cia l C onference. Tho
other p rovinces o u g h t to follow su it and o u gh t to
enoourago B ihar in h e r protest and do a ll th e y can to
tej] the G overnm ent th a t it is not a B ill o f th is natu re
th a t w e w ah t. T h e B ihar people w a n ted a u n iv ersity
but it is as if a m an w a n tin g bread w as oêrcd a ston e
and asked to s a tis fy h im self w ith it. I t is n ot in th is
w a y th a t w e w a n t h igh er education to be encouraged.
T ho B om bay S e n a te , as I h a v e Siiid, h a v e already
recorded th eir protest. Tho b ill h a s been se n t to other
U n iv er sitie s and I hope th e y w ill‘do th e sam e. B u t
a large g a th erin g o f the w h ole coun try, assem bled
lik e th is, ou gh t, I s a y , to record its em p h a tic protest.
M y resolution s a y s th a t the B ill sh ou ld be so am ended
a s to m ake it a th orough ly liberal and p rogressive
^measure. I m y s e lf w ould rather h a v e said th a t th e
B ill should be w ithdraw n and a n e w m easure, a more
liberal m easure, introduced in to the C oun cil (applause).
R em em ber th a t our E du cation m em ber ia an Indian,
w ith th orou gh ly In d ia n sym pathicis, and if w e on ly
sh o w our d ecisiv e disapproval o f tlie provisions of
th is B ill, I am in very great hope th a t our protest
w ill be su ccessfu l and B ih ar w ill be g iv en a U n iv e rsity
m ore
w orth y
o f ite nam e and m ore c a lc y la ted to
further (|s ed u cation al progress.
(L o u tf applause).
( 40
)
iki
D ew ftn B ahadur L. A*. Gobind R a g h a v a ly o r
(M adras), Dr. N ilra ta n Sarkar (C alcutta), and Mr. S.
S in h a (B ankipore) supported th e resolution.
I t w a s carried u n an im ou sly.
>
P
r in t e d
by
S . M . R a t iim B d k h s h ,
AT T H E ‘tJE N T R A L ” P R E SS,
BANKIPORE.
'
Inter University peUomsbip Scheme
BY
/
NAWAB
H A J l M O H U iV lM U D I S M A I L
F. A. U. •
AGRA.
A rocsT 1016.
•
,
>
•
C M.tS. In d u strial Mission P re ss S ik an d ra Atrm.
1916
.
KHAN
INDEX.
•
•
Page,
Rev, A. W. Davies M.A. ...
...
•••
••.
3
ffiabamahopadhyaya Panclifc Banke Ra!.
...
...
„
Rev. Dr. C. A. R. Janvier. M.A , D.D.
...
...
4
^ Mr. G. A.’Wather M.A.
...
...
...
Mahamahopadhyaya Dr. Ganga Nath Jlia. M.A., D. Liitt.
„
Mr, A. S. Heromy B.A. M.Sr.
...
5
Khan Bahadur Kazi Azizuddin Ahmad
...
...
„
Dr. Ziaaddiu Ahmad. 0 I.E.. M.A., D Sr. Pa.D.
...
,,
Mr. B. B, Joahi B.A., LL.B.
...^
...
...
6
Dr. B. E. Ghaawala L.M., & S.
...
...
Mr. E. Winckler B.A.
...
7
Dr. Sorab. K. Nariman M.D. B.Se.,D.P.H., M.R.O.S., E.C.P.S. 8 .
Rev. W. G. Robertson M.A.B.D.
--j
The Hon : Dr. Deva Prasad Sarbbadi Kary. C.I.E , M.A, LL.D. 9
Mr. G. Gardner Brown M.A.
...
...
...
„
Mr. J. H. Towle M.A
...
—
•10
JTbe Hon’ble. Sardar Bahadur Sunder Singh Majitha.
„
. Mr. D. G. Padhye. M. A.
...
...
...
...
11
Mr. S. G. Daiiu M.A.
...
...
...
...
12
Lt. Col. W. E. Jenninga M.D, D.Pn., E.C.P.S.,I.M.S.
13
Dr, S. Swaminadhan.
...
...
...
...
14
Rev. A. F. Gardner. M.A. ...
■■■*♦
■■■
■■■
’’
Mr. R. P. Paraujpeye B.Sc,, M.A. ...
...
...
15
Mr. P. F. Fyaon, B.A., F.L.S.
...
...
18
Rat Bahadur. T. Raghaviah.
...
...
...
„
Mr. W. Jessa M.A., F.Z.S. ...
...
...
...
17
Mr. R. G. Grieve. M.A*
...
...
•
...
18
Dr. Gyibejt Slater.
...
* ...
...
J9
Rai Sahib Lala Ranchi Ram Sahni ...
.1.
...
20
Mr. A. Subramarya Aiyar B.A.
...
...
...
2L
Mr. K. B. Ramantban Aul M.A. L.T., B.L. ...
...
22
Mr. R. D. Rethn» B.A., LL.B.
tMr. Durga T)afi B.A., hL.B.
Her. J. A. Wood M.A.
... *
Mr. V. P. Vaidya B.A. ...
• ...
Mr. M. fl, Jayakar 51 A., Lb.B.
Ror. W. W. Wallace M.A.
Mr. C. P. Riiraa Sawami Aiyar Aiil. B A, B.L.
Khalifa Imaduddin K.S. Inspector of Schools.
Mr. R R. Goru M.A.
Mr. E. P. Harris M.
The Hon’ble. Mr. Gokal Dass K. Parekh B.A., LL.B.
The Hoii’ble. Mr, Gokaran Nath Misra M.A., LL.B.
The Hon’ble. Mr. SamiuHftb Beg B,A , L.L.B
ReT. H. J. Quinn S J. D.D.
^Rai Bahadur Pandit Hari ICishau Kaul. M.A., C.I.B.
Mr. B. A. Richardson. M.A.
V ...
Rev. L. Stahlschmidt.
...
...
...
Dr. P. S Chaudrao KharamAul. B.A. M.D.
Mr. L. C. Hodgson M.A. ...
The Hon’ble. Rev. G. Pifctendrigh. M A.
Rev. M. S. Douglas.
The Hon’ble. Syed Karamat Hussain Bar-at-law.
M. i ’azl ai Hosain M.A. Bar-at-Law
,.,•
Mj-.
h. Rjigunatb Sahai B.A,
Mr. N G. Welinkar M.A. D.L.B,
Mirza AH Akbar Khan B.A.
Shaikh Abdul Kadir Surfraz M.A.
Mr. H. J. Bbabha M.A. ... '
Rao Bahadur Sada Shiva Jairam Bebadrai M.A.
Dr. SaiduzzafftP Khan M.B, C.H.B., D.T.AIp
Mr. W. Youngman. if Sc.
Mr. D. Reynell M.A., B.O.D.
T)r, P. H. Edwards.
Mr. K. Burnett M.A.
Pd. M. D. Zutsbi M-A.
U . Col, W. Selby I,M.S.
r
Shamsul Ulama Maulana. *.
...
...
...
Md, Abdul Jalil TJsmaui
...
...
...
Pd. Ham Slittstri Tailong. ...
, ...
...
...
Dr. Tej Babadar Sapru M.A., LL.U.
...
...
Dr. Gaiiga Nath Jha. M.A., D. Lit.
...
...
W. Owston Smith M.A.
...
...
...
Mr. E. E. Bise.
...
..
...
...
• ...
Rai Cbunni Lai Basu Bahadui- M.B ..I.S.O., F.C.S.
...
Mr. W. A. J. Archbold M.A., LL.B.
...
...
Babu Satis Chandra Ray. M.A.
...
/ ...
...
Mahamahopadhyaya Dr. Satis Chandra Vidyabhuahan M.A.
Rao Bahadur Ram* Chandra Ganesh Mundle LL.B. Ph. D.
Mr. J. R. Banerjea M.A., B.L.
...
...
Mr. S. G, Burrow- B.Sc.
...
...
...
...
Sir V. C. Desi Kaohariar.Kt. B.A., B>L.
...
...
Justice Sir Geo. E. Knox. Kt. I.C.S.
.
...
Dr, G. Howells. M.A. B. Litt., B.D., Ph.D.
Mr. G. E. Fawcua M.A.
...
...
...
...
Sir Gooroo Dasa Banerjea Kt. M.A., D.L., Ph. D.
...
'
Maulvi Md. Irfan. M.A.
...
...
...
...
Mr. M. T. Sterling. M.A.
...
...
Dr. Deva Prashad Sarbhadhi Kaiy. C.I.E, M,A, L.L.D.
The Most Rev. p r . G.A. Lefroy. D.D. Lord Bishop of Calcutta.
Shamsul Ullma
...
...
...
...
J.J. Modi. B.A. Ph. D.
...
...
...
...
M r: W. C. Wordsworth M.A.
...
P. V. Seshu Aiyar, F.M.U. ...
...
...
...
41
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46
47
48
49
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55
IN TERU JNlVERSlXy FELLOW SH IP SCHEME.
INTRODUCTIOX.
.■ :o: ■
Having considered that there are differences between the
Vorking of the different Universities of India ; and these differ
ences are not reasonable ; so I thought it better that I should collect
the views of all the Fellows of the Indian Universities on this
mattei’; ! sent the following letter to all the Fellows ; and their
kind replies are also published in this pamjîlet.
I am i’eally very glad to say that the Fellows took a keen
interest on this movement; and most of them have very kindly
replied.
•
«
Inter University Felhwshi'p Scheme.
*"
Sir,
Since India is rapidly progressing in education under the
aegis of the benign British Government, I beg to make a proposal
whicsU if it is acted upon, will probably tend to brmg out better
, enlightenment and culture.
D ear
The Uiiiversitie.s in India are quite detaclied from each other
and there is as ^ matter of fact no connecting link between them.
Any scheme which may have the effect of bringing them into
closer touch with one another, and wh^ch may enable one Univer
sity to understand more closely the sclftmes of the others, will I
believe inevitably conduce to better result-s. For these reasons I
humbly beg to draw tho kind attention of the Chancellors, Vice
Chancellors, and Fellows of all tlie Indian Universities to those
few lines, and I shal[ esteem it a favour if they yill very kindly
communicate to me their approval or disapproval of the suggestion.
I t is ^ y * desire, if necessary, to publish all their kind replies
(iu abstract) iu u collective form.
Witli the above object in view I beg to make the following
two proposals for favour of your kind consideration :—
Introduction,
2
1, That evei’y University be authorized to send twoo of *ms^ Fellows
3I1 0
o "
/ tthe other
as its representatives to the annual meetings of each
Universities an^ that the latter accept them as such.
2. That those representative Fellows be given the same privi
leges of proposing, seoonding, (Opposing, and disoussiug any
resolution as are given to its own Fellows.
I believe that if these two resolutions are accepted by all the
Indian Universities, they will certainly have an opportrunity of
making themselves more useful, and a now education era may
begin in this Country
Your.s faithfully;
HAJI MD. ISMA i L KHAN-.
(Sd.)
•
(N
aw ab o f
D
a t a o l i)
Fellow of the Allahabad University.
A gra.
*15, February 1916.
•
ANSWERS.
From
Thk Xlf!V. A. W. D a v ie s ,
Frincipal. «
S t John’s C o l l b g e ,
AGRA.
Afarc/i 1916,
•
^'aw-ab Haji ilubammud Ismail Khan,
•
Agra.
i l j dear Nawab Sahib,
1 have I'eceived your circular letter regarding the University
Fellovrsbip Scheme. I think you are rigli^ in suggesting that
■we should gain by understanding more closely scbemos of other
universities, but I iîu very doubtful as to whether this would be
done by an exchange of fellow.s in the vây you suggest seeing that
at the present time our .Senate luvs so little actually administrative
■work to do, It would. I think be more satLsfactory if you could
ensure the circulation among the fellows of Universities of speeihec^
documenk-9, reports <fec. which would be likely to interest and profit
all our Uuivei’sity, for example, Reports of Boards of studies might
with great advantage be exchanged. In regard to your second
point I do not think that the Follow of any outside University
• should have the right either to introduce a subject or to vote, but
• he might be allowed to speak on a motion that had been raised by
one of our own ^llows.
Youi's, sincerely,
, (Sd.)
A. W. DAVIES.
Mahamabopadhyaya,
P i NO i T B a k k e K
ai ,
DELHI,
A'awal Qoswamt,
Fellow, Punjab University,
M. B.
A.
s.
IGtA March, 1916,
,
Dear *5ir,*
I heartily approve of the two resolutions proposed by you in
your letter of the loth February, 1916.
^
Yours faithfully,
(Sd.) BANKE RAJ.
4
In te r U n ire rsity fellou'sTiip sclieni
fJ c . CO f.tE G E,
a i I lai
iAHABAD,
Dear Sir,
*
With yoar purpose I am in heartj- sympathy. Our different Indian
Universities ought to be in far clo.ser touch ■with each other. Biit
of the effectiveness of tlie method proposed I have the ^JfTest
doubts, r very much doubt -whether any University "wpuld want
to give full membership privileges to men from another Uni
versity, largely stiffcigers to the local conditions; and on the other
hand I gravely doub^ •whether fellows would be found who would
feel like sparing time to go to another U niveîty to discuss ques
tions in many of "which they could not possibly be interested.
A meeting for the discussion of common intere.sts to which each
Senate might send delegp,tes would seem to me to be far more
#prnclicable and far niore hopofiil.
Tours sincerely,
(Sd.) C, A. R. JARÛER.
I am against more centralisation, and in favour of each univer-^
sity and indeed each college working out its own destiny. A uni
versity conference discussing matters of an acfi-demic nature in an
academic spii’it might be indirectly useful.
16-3-1916.
(.Sd.) G. A. WATHER.
•
J I l' i r CENTnAL C o l l e g e ,
ALLAHABAD,
March IQth 1916.
Dear Sir,
•
•
Your S(!beme of Tnter University co-operation is sound. But I
am not sure if the provisions of the Indian Universities will permit
of such active co-opei*ation.
Tours truly,
(8d.)
GANGA*NATH JHA.
r
Atiswers.
Plijsics Laboratory,
GovEB^•llfc:KT C o l l e g e ,
LAHORE,
17th March, 1916,
Dear Sir,
•
With regard to your Inter University Eellosvship Scheme,
I m a / say that I am in full agreement with your idea that the
different Universities should be in close touch with one another and
your suggestion of deputing Fellows from one University to attend
the meetings of another would certainly have such a result if carried
out. There is however a difficulty with regard to Universities
other than Allahabi^l that their business is not all concentrated on
a small portion of the year but is spiea<i over the whole of the ses
sion. Pew Fellows from other pi’ovinces could spare the time to
attend such meetiJigs so that 1 doubt if^your proposals would bear
much practical result.
^
Yours faithfully,
tSd.) A, S. HUAIEDY.
D. Science Faculty,
Fellow of the Pvinjab University.
• lly dear Nawab Sahib,
1 entirely agêe with you.
adopted will do much good.
The idea is an excellent one and if
Yours faithfully
17-3-1916.
(Sd.) •AZIZUDDIN AHMAD.
ALIGARH.
17. 3. 16.
#
My Dear Nawab Sahfb,
*
1 jaw ^'our Scheme of Inter Universitie'^ fellowship and very
much appreciate the spirit of it. 1 quite agree with your proposal
and 1 am ready to support it.
Yours sincerely,
•
(Sd.) ZIAUDDIN AHMAD.
S
•
In te r U n iv e rsity fe llv w sh ip scheme
G A U R D E V I,|30iIB A f.
• l L7.
' 3. 19115.
f)ear Sir,
In roplj to your letter regarding the Inter University Fellow.ship Scheme, I have the pleasure to say that I approve of your
tirat proposal which is really commendable; bat I am doubtful
about accoi*ding the privilege of moving resolutions etc. to melhtêr s
of other Senates. Tiiese repi’osentativos may take part in the
debates without at present the right of voting. It might be better
perhaps to defer tlje'consideratiou of the second propo.sal for some
time, but I would support a movement regarding the first propo.sal.
, Yours faithfully,
(?d.) B. B. GORHI,
«
^
B arry V
O
w en
U
il l a ,
cnn
R
oad,
GAMUEVl,
Bombay, \7th March 1916.
To
Haji Md. Ismail Klian Esq.,
Nawab,
^
Agra.
Sir,
•
I cordially approve of the anggestiona containod in your letter
of 1 5 th February 1916.
Youra faithfully,
(Sd.) B. E. GHASUDA,
Member of Senate Bombay University
Px’oposal No. I mi^t mean that at each aiinual meeting at least
10 or 12 fellows would be absent (Visiting the Punjab, Jlftdr^s, Re
bar and Urisa, Bombay, Calcutta and later Benares) from their own
University meetings, which is impossible. (This answer that the
annual meetings take place at about the same time, which may not
be the case). The proposal might be altered as foli<>ws
7
Anawers.
That t :.|h University be autliorized to send a fellow as its repieseiitativi to attend the annnal meetings of auotlier University
once a year, different Universities being invited in successive years
HO that, in a period of some five or Six years each University will
have visited every other University in India. Tlie representativo
•.sliall report to the Senate the observations made by him.
•
(Tin’s would have to be properly worked).
I di.srtgroe with this, (Proposal No: 2) since the re'presentative
w’ould- merely be a visitor desirous of obtaining information.
1 do not wish this to be published in my name.
Fiom
*
R a j a h ’s C o l l e g b ,
The Principal,
•
PARLAKIIIEDI.
and Fellow of the,
Madra.s University.
Dear Sir,
^
In reply to your circular letter dated 15tb Feb. I have much
pleasure to say that I am in entire sympathy with your two entire
propositions.
Yours faithfully,
(Sd.) ILLIGIBLE.
Sorab Tsarimaifc,
M. D.
To
259,
HOBNBr R
oad,
BOMBAY,
\1th M.arch, 191C.
•
Haji Mohammad laiiiail Khan Esq,,
AGRA.
Dear Kir,
J am in receipt of your circular letter based on Inter Univer
sity ICellowahip Sctieme. I do not approve of die two proposals
me^^tioi^d in your letter as they would not to any desirable extent
and to bring the Universities closer. I would rather suggest that
there should be an Inter University Board just like the Railway
Board to discuss University matters and submit their results to the
Government of India for their consideration. Of course Govern-
8
In te r T J n iv in ity fello w n h ip s c h e m ^
menb of India will have to be approached if my siKgestion is
agreeable to the majority just as if your proposals are *gi-eeable to
the majority f<ir the necessary amendment iu the Universities’ Act
of 1904
•
Yours sincerely,
(Sd.) SORAB NARIMAN^
G
c jr a t
C
ollege,
.
Uarck I8i7i, 19J6Dear Sir,
^
I beg to thank you for your interesting communication, and
to say that I regret that I cannot see my way to snpport your
proposal.
*
^
Yours faithfully,
(NAME ILIilGIBLE )
Haji Md. Ismail Khan,
Nawab of Dataoli.
D, 0. No. 120 /March/ 16.
Nawab Haji Md. Ismail Khan,
Nawab of Uataoli,
S
enate
H
ou se,
CALCUTTA.
"
Tho,^Qth llarch, I9l6.
•
(Fellow of the Allahabad Universitv).
AGRA.
Dear Sir,
•
I have to acknowledge with thanks receipt of your cirular
letter, dated the 15th February last, received yesterday regarding
Inter University Fellowship Scheme.
I think the idea of havingsome .sort of connecting link between
the different Indian Universities is sound aint well worthy of con
sideration. The proposal you put forward, however, it for the
moment not practical, because the constitution of the Universities
does not provide for or allow such an interchange, and I am
doubtful whether it would lead to useful results,^ considering
th at no Fellow of an outside University acquainted with detailed |
9
Answers.
t
iiiformatio*' of anotlier tJiiivei-sity woold be able to take an intelligent part
tlie debates of tbat Uniyersity.
•
The better mode for the time would probably be to depute
the Vice-Chancellor or some pi'omitient Member of the Senate to
visit the other Universities and interchange ideas.
Yours faithfully,
iSd.) UEBA PRASHAD SARBHADHARI,
ChanreUfir
H
.
olkar
C ollege,
INDORE, C. I.
20. 3. 16.
Dear Sir,
*
"While I agree with you that the "B’niversities of India are not
in close touch with one another. I am afraid there are very serious
objections to your Inter University PMlowship Scheme, e.g.
^
(1) The greater part of the work done at University meetings
relates entirely to internal matters. These internal matters depend
very largely on local conditions and these conditions very widely
ill different parts of India. Without the local knowledge necessary.
I think it would be rather impertinent for fellows of one Univer
sity to interfere in the management of another.
(2) I do not? see that any pi'actical good is likely to come out
of the scheme. * It appears to me that any desirable end which it
might be sought to obtain, would be better and more easily gained
by other means, e.g.
•
(а) Republication in the press o^by pamphlets of any views
which it might be thought desirable to spread and the circulation
of a copy to each of the Fellows of the University which it was
desired to inQuence.
(б) The holding of occasional conferences onrf^-arious branches
of siud^ which might be attended by thdse engaged in t.eaohing
the Rubject in each University. So far we have not even attained
thi.s end in our own Univei'sity.
Yours faithfully,
•
I
(Sd.)
GARDNER BROWN.
10
In te r U n iversity ftlloivsKi}) $chsme.
\
The P
r in c ip a l ’ s
O
k ic e ,
M.A.O. CoA koe,
ALIGARH. U.P.
Dated,
1916.
Dear JfaTvab Sahib,
•
In acknowledginj^ wiMi thanks yonr circular conceruinj? tlie.
Inter University Fellowship Scheme, I have to say that b e ^ rJ^ t
could be considered as practicable it would seem necessary to take
a legal opinion on the question as to whether the Universities Art
permits such an ar?'.angement.
•
Tours truly,
(Scl.)
J. H. TOWLU.
#
•
M
a jit h a h o u s e ,
AMRITSAR.
Sii-v "March, 1916.
Dear Sir,
I am in receipt of your circular letter about Inter University
fellowship Scheme dated 15th Februaiy 1916 and received here
by me on the 16th instant. In reply I beg to say that (hough your
proposal is a commendable one but I am afraid in working it may
not be 8 0 practicable. There will be no objection to giving the
privilege.? to the fellows of the luter Universities ^hat you ask but
how will they be in touch with topics of interest in the pro
vince of the Punjab. I think your purpose could be better served
by an annual conference of the Fellows of the Indian Universities
which might be held in Xmas vacations and there they can ex
change views with greater facilities and of their coming together
may be production of greater good to each other than by the mere
deputation of fellows to attend the Senate meetings.
•
I have to thank yju for your courtesy*in sending mo the
letter.
• •
(Sd.)
Yours faithfully,
SUNDER SINGH MAJITHA.
Fellow of Punjab University.
.
11
A nsw ers.
400 G i r g it j m R o a d ,
BOMBAY (2)
3. 1910.
Dear Sir,
Your printed Circular lettfer dated 15. 3. 1916 to baud. Tlie
object of bringing; on a closer union between tbe Indian Universi
ties i»one which ought to secure unalloyed and univeieal approval,
I do not know however that the specific proposal you make in this
be'balf would do any good. With us in Bombay, the annual meet
ing of th e University is of no special importance, except for the
election of the office bearers. Generally no* important busi’’ 'ss is
put down on tlie ajjenda of the annual meeting. Tbe rr .rfseutative Fellow.s’ right to take part in tbe discussion etc,, as proposed
by you would pi'actically be nothing so far as our University is
concerned.
•
I would justsuggest for consideration the following proposal
(a) Uvery Indian University should have the right to elect two
Fellows of every sister Indian University and these should have
the same rights a.s other Fellows. Travelling expenses to attend
Senate Meetings should be paid by the Constituent University.
, (fe) There should be every year or every second year a conference
at the seats of the Indian Universities by turn, at which each
Indian University* should be represented by ten or five elected
members. Matters of general intere.st should be discu.ssed at these
conferences and views formulated in the shape of resolutions.
.Yonrs faithfully,
(Sd.) D. G. PADHYE
A foolish idea proposed for obtaining notoriety.
(This was endorsed on my printed circular letj^r.
has not given his name and address).
•
The writer
12
In iei' U n iversity fello w sh ip scheme.
M triR C o l l e g e ,
ALLAHA.BAD.
2 1 . 8 . 16.
Dear Sir,
*
Allow me lo thank you for seiMing me your interesting proposale for consideration,
»
I am inclined, I fear, to think them impracticable for sevet^l
reasons.
In the fii'st place I much doubt whether any University would
be willing to grant voting and proposing rights to delegates from
other Universities. Igi«Dianee of local conditions ^Y0 uld be alleged,
and I think justly as, for this refusal.
Secondly, under the present system of elections to the senate
and as the senate is at preseifl composed, the chances of an education
ist being elected as representative would be very small. In result
end you aim at would not bo attained ; political rather than true
educational conaidoratioiis would be put in the front. Thirdly the
need for tlir's scheme is hardly appaz’eufc. We can find all fclie infoi’matioii we require about the courses etc. of other universities
in their calenders and prospectuses while most of us are in correspoudcnce with professors in other universities.
1 should, on the other hand, be in favour of any scheme propos- ’
ing an interchange of teachers, ortho procuriirg of a lecturer to
visit each university in time, bis salary being paid by contributions
from each university under tho scheme. 1 made a proposal to this
effect myself in 1912 at the Congress of the Universities of the
empire when the question European Professors touring in India
was discussed ; but the majority of the delegates were in favour
of each Unirer.sity working its own scheme without interchange.
Yom’s faithfully.
■ (Sd.)
G. DUNK *
Dear Sir,
* *
While sympathising with your objects I can not see that they
would be gained by the means you suggest. T have not beard tliat
«
f
Ausicers.
13
such means are employed in other countries. Though you say that
there is no coimectiTig link between Indian Univw.sitie.s. I can not
altogether a^ree. There is a good deal of affiliation.and this might
with advantage be improved.
*
•
Tours faithfully,
(Sd.) W. E. JENNIXGS,
’ -
^
F .B.y.
H
•
i
ig h
C ouht H
o cse,
MADRAS, E.
2\st March 16.
Dear Sir,
I have receive(3 your circular letter of tlie 15th instant and I
quite sympathise with you in your endeavouj* to draw the Indian
Dnivei'sities more closely togetlier, Any step taken in that direc
tion has of course my warm sympathy and co-operation.
^
la m however liighly sceptical how far the two propsals put
forward in your circulai* letter would he practicable. Thus, in
Madiu.s we have about 3 or 4 meeting.s of the University Senate
every year. I am not at all hopeful that the presence of two of the
nominees of the Chancellor of the Allahabad. University will have
the effect of drawing hladras University any nearer to the ideals
of your Universit/. Tliis can to a certain extent be done by free
exchange of University Professors and Post-Graduate students.
Thus, to take an example, if Prof. Jevons of Allahabad will come
down and enlighten us here on Tndiali Economic.^, such a step
would be calculated to draw the two Univer.sities together in some
tangible manner that the presence of even so eminent a represen
tative as Dr. SundarLal at a meeting of our Senate while we are
engagqjl in considering the question say whether an affiliated
College is properly nmnned or whether certain Htu{tent8 should be
exem^ted^from the production of the required attendance certifi
cates would not achieve. I am certain I will feel more like a fish
out of water if I am selected as the representative of the Madras
University to be present at the annual meeting of your University
Senate to take part in the delibei'ations of that august body,
I
ii
I n te r U n iversity fello ivsh ip e c h 'n ^
While therefore fully sympathising with the object you have
in view I feel bound to say tliat 1 am highly doubtful how far the
two proposals ôu have pub forward, if carried out, will achieve
the eud to any appreciable extdît.
•
Youi*s sincerely
(Sd.) Dr. S. SWAMI NANDHA^”. ,
S. P. G. COLLEaE,
T R iC H JÔ PO hr.
21-3-16.
Dear Sir,
*
With reference to your letter of the 15th February I cordially
approve of your first pi'oposal.
[ approve also of your second propo-'al^provided only that no
specific proposal should be, made by any represeubative fellow
Jvikhout the previous permission of the syndicate of the University
concerned,
Yours faithfully,
(3d.) ALLANT T. GARDNER.
(Fellow of the University of the
Madras.)
S
enate
H
o psb.
No. 2153.
2Lf March 1916.
From
The Registrar, Univarsity of Madras.
To
Nawab Haji Ismail Khan,
AGRA U. P.
Dear Sir,
^
•
In reply to your Igtter of the J5th instant, I write to inform
you that, as requested by you, the 95 copies of your*cirenlar
letter have been addressed and despatched to the Fellows of this
University.
Yours jîthfnlly,
(Sd.) (Illigi\jle.)
J
1^5
A nsw ers.
F
erg csso k
C ollege,
POONA.
2%ul MarcJi 1916.
Deal’ Sir,
*
1 am in recoipt of yoar fetter about the Inter University
•Fellowship Scheme and feel sympathy with your object. It w'ill
be a very good thing if the various Universities in India could be
brouglit nearer each other .somehow.
Your proposal will however merely ensure a formal connec
tion. liven if the representatives of the other Universities are
allowed all the rights, they will lioweve^ not exercise them as
tliey are unacquainted with all the local conditions.
Annual matches between students of various Universities in
varions games, visits by parties of students in one university to
colleges ill the other, occa.sioiml intorchange of professors and
lecturers if possible, interchange of examiners and freer facilijês
for migration for which some better correspondence in courses of
studies is desirable, are some of the ways doubtless informal
for bringing about your object. I quite admit that a greater soli
darity among the leaders in educational matters in various pro
vinces is desirable. An occasional address by a man of one province
on the educational problems of his own university before another
would be very desirable.
These are some ways which are suggested to me by your letter.
^
Yours tru ly ;
(€d.) R. E. PRAINYEYE.
PRESIDE>'CT COLLEGB,
MADRAS.
iluj-A 22, 1916.
Dea^’ Sij^,
*
I do not know what happens at meetings of the Senate of
other Universities, but at the two meetings which we have in
Madras each year little would be gained by any outsider in re^ gard to the aim and scheme of the University. This would be
16
In te r U n iversity felloiL'ship schem e^
readily gained by a perusal of the regulation especially there
concerned with tlie courses of study.
I feel therefore that your suggestion would not further much
the very excellent intentions wMch you have mentioned.
Tours faithfully;
(Sd.) F. F. FYSEN.
Kao Bahadur
T. R a g h a v ia h .
V
enkata
V
il a s ,
t h e LU2, RlTLAPdRE,
22nd March, 1016.
^
Dear Sir,
Your circular letter of the 15th ultimo cducerning an Inter
Dniversity Fellowship Sche»ie.
1 do not think that the proposal that fellows of other
Universities might attend the meetings of an University and
exercise all the privileges of its own fellows, voting included, will
pass muster. Your object can, I think, be equally well acliieved
by an annual or biennial conference of representatives of tho
various universities at which the progress and peculiarities of
each university can be compared with those of the rest and ideas
exchanged.
Yours faidifully,
(Sd.)
T. RAtmAVIAU.
Fellow, Madras University.
To
.
Haji Md. Ismail Khan Bahadur,
Nawab of Dataoli and,
Fellow of the Allahabad University,
From
•
T
he
P
e in c ip a l ,
•
*
MEERUT,
March 2’^ 19^].
M eeeu t C ollege.
Dear Sir,
You have asked me my opinion on your InteiÛniveisity
Fellowship Scheme.
17
A nsw ers.
I fear tliat I cannot regard it favourably and for the followiag roai^ns.
•
.
(1) There arc at present Madras, Calcutta, Bombay, Punjab,
and Benares* Universities. In two er three years we expect also
Behar, Patna, Aligarh, RangooB, Mysore and Xagpur.
No.v eleven Universities each sending two members would
meanf)n addition of 22 outsiders to our Senate of 75. I t is quite
possible that if they had the rights you propose to''give them
under your No. 2. they might very seriously affect our decisions
and in fact enable a minority of Allahabad Fellows to defeat the
wishes of the majority.
,
(2) Our time for discussion is all too short as it is. Matters are
summarily dealt wiCli without adequate discussion, because of the
need for outside Fellows to return to Wieir stations. To add 22
outside Fellows who might vote without any real knowledge of the
points at issue would be very unwise. *
(o)
Would it be possible for really Fellows, that ie men actu
allyengaged in teaching and knowing the actual difficulties in
working a college, to spare the time to attend meetings of eleven
other Universities in different parts of India ?
(4) Do you tliink that even if the Government Teritoidal Uni’versities were to accept such a scheme, that Universities of the
type of Aligarh of Benares would submit to the chance of an
adverse vote ? Personally I feel certain that they would not.
(5) 1 am unawai*8 that such a scheme has ever been tided in other
countries. 1 cannot help thinking that Jiad a plan like yours been
feasablo it would have been proposed er? this.
(6)
Lastly how are the expenses of travelling and halting to
be met ? I fear it would be very great and I do not think the
Universities would l)c prepared to meet it when they have so many
other demands on their resources.
•
•
•
Yours sincerely.
(Sd.) W. JESSE.
18
In te r U niversity fe llo u s k ip scheme.
D. 0. Ifo. 76.
The
O
ld
Colleoe,
MADRA^,
22«a Uarch 1916.
Dear Sir,
,
•
I have read with interest yoiir letter on the sending of the
Inter Fellows from each Universitj to the annual meetings of all
the others.
I t doe!>-not however appear to me that siioh a cpurse would be
practicable in the case of this University since we have no annual
meeting. Such matters as are discussed in the Senate are peculiar
to this Pre.sidency an^ I cfiiinot think that the presence of Fellows
of other Universities in our Senate Meetings would have any utility.
•
Yours Faithfully,
(Sd.) llligible.
To
. ^ Haji Md. Ismail Khan,
(Nawab of Dataoli)
AGRA.
4
Office of Professors of Indian Economics,,
O l d C o l l e g e , NT t s g a m b a k a m ,
MADRAS,
March 22, 1930
Dear Sir,
J
I should heartily welcome any practicable scheme for bringing
Indian Universities more closely into touch with one another. 1
have not yet had sufficient practical experience with University
administration to be able to judge whether the plan you ^vopose,
that each Univei-sity should send two Pellon^ to the annual meetjng.s of other Universities, is the best way of attaining tlê end
sought. But if this plan be adopted, I should nob recommend that
such representative fellows should have the power of proposing,
seconding or voting on resolutions. In my opinicî, it would be
better for the visiting representatives to confine themselves ip
19
Ansivers.
stafcementa with regard to the experience of their own Universities
when s|ich statements are calculated to throw Hjfht on the question
at issue.
•
Yours faithfully,
(Sd.) GICHE3T SLA.TER.
, Haji Md. Ismail Khan,
• Nawab of Daraoli.
2^nd. March 1916.
This proposal means that each University can find 8 fellows
able and willing to attend the meeting!^ of other Universities
whenever held and taking part in deliberation. This in the present
cii'Bumstances of tlie country is not possible.
(Sd.) nifgilde.
---------- V
G overnm ent C o lleg e, ^
-
LAHORE.
23rd Mn-rch 1916.
Dear Sir,
Thanks for your circular letter. 'I'he idea of affording occa
sional opportunitie.s to the Fellows of the different Indian Univer
sities to meeteach other and discuss questions affectiugthe higher
education of the'people of this country has my heartiest support.
I am, however, nob sure how far your proposals will meet the
obejotsyou have in view. It is not enough to bring the ideals and
methods of the various Indian Univeftities into line. So far as I
know, all the existing Indian Universities were founded on the
model of the old London University which was only an examining
University. The London University itsolf has been since re
modelled on modern lines Here and there reforms have been intro
duced in the woi'^ting of the Indian Universities hut these are
fa^froti being comprehensive. They partake of the nature of
make-shifts. What is required, in any discussion is a bold and
comprehensive reform witli a view to bring our Universities into
line with t ^ great seats of learning in the West. This is not the
place to discuss in detail what I mean by a comprehensive Scheme
20
In te r U n iversity ftllo ic s h ip $c%eme.
of reform. But if the Fellows of the various Univei’sities could
meet in a conference, say once in three or five years, a scjême of
reform acceptable to all the provinces could be evolved to the
great benefit of real education in the country.
•
Yours faithfully,
(Sd.) RUCHI RAM SAIINI,
Professor Govei’ninent College,
LAHORE.
T
he
F
b e s ib e n c t
C of.l e g b ,
JIADRAS.
23rd Mureh 191G.
Dear Sir,
^
I am in due receipt of your letter regarding Inter University
Fellowship Scheme. You intend it for the better enlightenment
culture of India, and you make two proj)osals which in your
opinion will secure the end in view.
While I congratulate you on the happy idea of developing a
corporate spirit among the Indian Univex’sities. I comsider that
your proposals cannot go sufficiently far towards accomplishing the
end. They relate only to the administrative part of the work of
the Universities though I am well aware that administration is
vitally connected with the direction and improvement of education,
The chief work of the Uuiveiîties is to teach, and any proposal in
this direction calculated to make the Universities feel that their
interests are identical w illê quite welcome. By this I do not
morn to exclude the idea that administnition should ruti on parallel
lines. I mean to einpha.size that the espirit do corps sought to be
brought about should relate to the main function for which the
Universities have come into existence and not relate merely tc»*fcheir
constitution and administration. If the Uuivfrrsities can be indu
ced to invite Professors from other Universities or f#om*the
colleges affiliated to the otlier Universities to deliver cour.ses of
lectures to their own students it will be a great point gained.
You contemplate ouly one senate meeting every j|ear in all the
Universities. In Madras two meetings are held every year,
A nsicers.
21
they are agitating far three,âs basiness is rushed through as mattors
at present and full discussion of questions is rendered
impossible. The representatives should attend alj the meetings
and not merely one of them. Further, the same representatives
will have to be deputed for the sliccessive meetings of each Univer
sity in order that biiere may be continuity in the knowledge of its
affair*. Or, if this is not desirable, the representatives should be
required to submit to tlieir own University a full audTletaiied re
port of the proceedings of that associate senate meeting which they
attend, and copies of this report should be circulated to the mem
bers of the University. It should also be*born in mind that the
representative.H deputed should possess a thorough knowledge of
the local conditions of the University whose meeting they are deputed
to attend, and should in general be alSb acquainted with the edu
cational needs of the Indian students as they may be thought to be
demanded hy the general world advance vn culture, hy the Indian social
life, and hy the Indian citizenship.
Wi-shing you coinplete success in your endeavour,
I remain, Sir,
Your faithfully,
A. SUBRAHMANYA AIYAR,
(Sd.)
Madras, 2Mh March 1916,
Dear Sir,
Your suggestion can be acted upo* only by making changes
in the University Act. It will have the effect of adding 8 new
fellows to each University. As there are five in all. And there
may be more if there are more Universities incorporated like the
Hind^T, Moslem and Maisin Universities.
Of coui*8e acb«al presence at meetings will give us greater
insight i*ito University administration than the reading of the re
ports of University meetings. How are the representatives to be
chosen out of the heterogeneous body making up the Senate ? The
representative may decliue to represent as they may not fancy the
p a rticu la r University.
22
In te r U n iversity fello w g h ip scheme.
These are details you may say tha^ may be easily settled once
the principle is aceepted. I see no objection to the priaoi|le- It
■will remove from us provincial narrowness
Meanwhile the Calenders ef the different Universities may be
given or sent for half price to fellows of other Universities and
copies of proceedings also forwarded to them. As things are we
have to depend on chance reports in newspapers.
•
Yours truly,
^
(Sd.) H. 0. RAilMAN.
Professor,
Pachaiyappa’s College,
WADllAS.
BOMBAY,
24/7i March 1916.
To
I'Jâ'wab Haji Mahomed Ismail Khan,
Fellow of the Allahabad University.
Dear Sir,
I approve of your proposals but fear that tliey would be diffi
cult to carry out in practice. For one thing the presence of the
two fellows, only at the annual meetings of the oftier Universities
in India would not be of much use as these Universities would be
transacting their work du»ing the course of tlie wdiole year, and if
they are not to be present at the other meetings what good can
they do by being present only at the annual meetings ? Each
University would require a large number of fellows to represent it
at the several other Universities even if two only are to he deputed
to each. Con^dering the reduced number
fellows I doubt if
each a large number tff fellows could be spared from the work of
their own Universities assuming that they would be prepared to
spare the time to be absent and incur the expense required. Should
the Universities not be willing to bear these expenses themselves
Legislation would be necessary to make the change in the const^
23
Answerg.
tntion of each of the Universities to effect the object you have in
T ie w .
^
,
•
Toui’s truly,
(Sd.) II. w . s e l l i : t .
Fellow Bombay University.
D u r g a D a s B.A. L L.B .,
S c k h N i vas ,
Pleader Chief Court.
Lahore, 24. 3. 1916.
Dear Sir,
While agreeing with your general dffsire to somehow link
together and conneêt the various Indian Univev.sibiea I regret I
cannot support your proposals suggested for the purpose.
In my humble opinion these are almost impracticable and are
not likely to bring about the result aimed at by you.
Tours faithfully, *
(Sd.) UUIIGAUAS,
Fellow, Punjab University.
E
dvvardes
College,
PE.SHAWAR,
24. 3. 1916.
INTER U^’ IVERSITY FELLOWSHIP SCHEME
Dear Xawab Sahib,
•
I believe we in the Panjab University might learn much that
is useful and profitable from our sister Universities, but I do not
think that a big public gathering like Convocation i.s the best occa
sion for learning things—and I take it Coiivocatipu is the nearest
thing we have to an annual meeting.
,
• Sec*ondly to ask one corporate body to admit a possibly large
number of voting members from outside is most unusual and likely
to require a very large amount of alteration in the statutes governy io g the Constitution of Universities.
24
•
I n te r U m v c rs ity fe llo w sh ip scheme.
Jliglit I with ftll deference suggest tlmt if you could persuade
youro\7ii University to send two fellows on a visit to Lali|re where
they would interview the Registrar the Vice Chancellor and some
of the leading members of the»Syndicate and Principals of Collegos
you would be able to test the*value of such Inter University
visits and then another year they or others might visit Bombay or
Calcutta.
•
1 ha^■^ just returned from a visit to Agra and Lucknow and
feel how mucli there is to be gained from a knowledge of others’
problems. 1 look bank with great pleasure to a visitfrom our own
Vice Chancellor soui^ months since, and feel that experienced
visitors from the United Provinces might help us not a little.
Such mutual interchange of thought anL? experience is most
valuable, but the addition t)f voting powei's would 1 feel wreck all
the advantages of the scheme.
The men whom it wo*uId be most advantageous to .send are
men whose time is most valuable and w'ho therefore want to use it
to the most immediate and direct discussion of practical problems
with those who are in closest, toaeh with them.
tfuch immediate and direct discussion is much better obtained
in quiet confidential talk than in full dress debates. Hence my
plea for great modifications in your scheme and for a small tenta
tive starts.
•
Thanking you for the courteous invitation to express a frank
opinion on your suggestion.
•
•
Believe me,
Nawab Sahib,
Your very faithfully,
(Sd.) J. A. WOOD M.A.
*
Principal Edward^s College,
*
Peshawar.
« ^
And Fellow of the Panjab University.
^
J-Hfijcors.
VrsHVAKATu P . V
a id v a ,
Bfti-at-Law.
B .A ..
25
121, M
ea d o w
*
S treet, F
ort,
liOMBAY,
2UK March
*
1916.
Peai' Nawab Haji il«l. Ismail Kbati,*
I feel fchankfvil for your letter of tbe 15tb February last and
liave the honour to reply thereto. Certainly the various Univer
sities a*'e detached from one another and there is a necessity of
bringing them in close touch, by which we can undei^tand each
otlrer far better than we do now.
I however hesitate to approve sending two fellows from each
University to the other at the otheis annual iueetiug. Tbe fellows
so deputed will not be able to take any very intelligent part in the
meetings and I douUt if any fellow of a University will undertake
to do so. Of such a scheme advantage# if any will be very poor
but the attendeuts’ incouveuiences will be many. As 1 do not
approve of the first suggestion I need not consider the 2nd whiî
is ouly a result of the 1st.
I shall ever be ready to consider any other suggestions leading
to the said end.
Believe me.
Yours faithfully,
(Sd.)
YISHVA'NATH P. YAIDYA.
H
ig s
C ourt,
BOMBAY,
21. 3. 1916.
To
2fawab Haji Md. Ismail Khan.
P e a r S ir,
1
in receipt of your printed letter about the,Inter Univer
sity Fellowship SclKflhe. I approve of the pi'yiciple of the Scheme.
m il
•
•
»
^
Youi's faithfully,
(Sd.) M. I?. JAKAR.
Fellow,
University of Bombay.
26
In te r JJniversity fe llo w sh ip scheme.
T
he
A M B iacA y C o l l e g s ,
M A D U K A ,
2 4 . 3 . 1916.
To
•
1^’awab Ilaji Md. Ismail Hhan.
*
Sir,
In reply fco your circular regarding your Inter University
Fellowshif) Scheme, your proposals seem to rae to present practi
cal difiQculties in the way of their being carried out.
Moreover, I am not sure that the need among tlie Universities
at present is for grer^êr uniformity rather than diversity of aim; so
that I cannot altogether favour the proposals.
Youi'^ very faithfully’;
‘
(S d )
.
P. RAMASWAMl AIYAR,
37 & 38, Yakils’ Chamuers,
Vahil,
MADRAS.
The Grove, Teynampett.
March 25, 1916.
To
Haji Md. Ismail Khan Esqr.,
Nawab of Dataoli,
Fellow of the Allahabad University,*
AGRA.
Dear Sir,
I am in receipt of your letter regarding the Inter University
Fellowship Scheme and eonsider that the proposals made by you
are certainly useful and intended towards the co-ordination of aims
on the part of the various Indian Universities.
•
_____
Yours faithfully ;
(Sd.) C*P.RAMAS*YAMI.
•
•
C am p S argodha,
Marc7i25, 1916.
Dear Sir,
^
A thousand apologies for beeping your esteemed letter of^he
I5th instant without a reply for a week ; but I vwva so busy with
A
27
A nsw ers.
my inspecjbion work tliat I ^could hardly find time for my private
correspondence. I quite agree with you in il«nking that there
mu.st be^some connecting link between tho Indian tiniversities and
that each fJziirersity should be represented on the Senate of
tho other. This is sure to remove the *
and difficulties we
notice now. I heartily support your resolutions and would go a
little further by proposing that the repre.sentabives of other Uni
versities would be invited to attend all the importaut Senate
meetings and should have tho privilege of proposing, aecoiiding,
discussing and voting in any resolutions and questions then.
Congratulating you on this happy and useful idea.
I am,
Yours faithfully ;
(Sd.) K. H. lilADUDDIN.
Fellow, Punjab University,
And
«
Inspector of Schools,
Ilaw'alpindi Division.
C. R. RUDDY.
IfA nA R A JA H ’s C o l l e q b ,
,
MYSORE.
Dated, 26th March 1916.
To
Nawab Haji Md. Ismail Khan, Esq.,
Fellow of the Allahabad Universi^,
AGRA, (U. P.)
Dear Ifawab Sahib,
Many thanks for your valuable circular on “Inter University
Fellowship Scheme.” If accepted, it would, doulitless, increase
the knowledge one «iUniversity has about tjie sister Universities
in Igdia.* I am nob sure, however, whether the scheme is quite
feasible, though it undoubtedly has some attractive features. For
my part, I think an Annual or Biennial University Conference
J
lU liiible.
*
28
In te r JJnheraxty fe llo w sh ip scheme.
composed of the Fellows of all the Ujiiversities, and meeting at
different centres îxay be just os valuable. This suggestion in no
way conflicts \îth yours.
^
Wishing you success in yâv laudable endeavour to enlarge
the academic outlook of Indian Sofiates.
I remain,
•
Yours faithfully,
•
(Sd.) C. R. REDDY.
AJMERE,
26f/i Marcht 1916.
Dear Sir,
•
Having given careful (^pnsideration to the proposal contained
in your letter of the 15th Febriiavy, whiclkreached me on the 16th
March, I am disposed to think that the measures contemplated
wot^ld not serve any really useful purpose.
Fours tru ly ;
(Sd.)
BOiTBAY,
27lh March, 1916.
Dear Sir,
•
,
,t am in receipt of your letter of the loth ins*ant. I approve
of your suggestion.
^
Yours faithfully ;
(Sd.) GOKAL DASS.
7 K
e il l
B
o a i ),
LUCKNOW,^
1916.
Dear Sir,
•
In reply to your letter dated the 15th February IoIg asking
for my opinion on the question of Inter University Fellowship
Scheme I beg to state that the scheme is a good one and will, if
accepted, result in great advantage to all the Universities of Ind^.
^
29
Answ ers.
I do not lioweror see liow jar the representative felloTrs can be
accordo^ the privilege of taking part iu the •discussion at the
annual meetings of the other Universities, though I do not seo any
objection to their being allowed melroly to attend the annual meet
ings of the other Universities find to express opinion on matters
•under discussion. The privilege of proposing, seconding and oppos
ing any resolution brought before the annual meetings of the other
Universities cannot reasonably be allowed to such representatives
but these again are matters of detail. If your scheme is introduced
then tho members of one University will be able to profit by the
opinion of the members of the other Uniwei-sities and in the end
the result will be that the cause of University Education in India
will be very much advanced.
•
Tours truly,
(Sd.)
GOKARAN" NATH MISRA.
AdvocatQ.
To
Nawab Haji Mohammad Ismail Khan Sahib,
AGRA, U .P.
LUCKNOW,
30. 3. 1916.
Dear Haji, Nawab Md. Ismail Sahib, ,*
The question to which you refer in your letter, I think it is a
good idea to attempt to create harmony in the working of the dif
ferent Universities of India and, if it were possible to find out
gome practical method of attaining the said result^ 1 would gladly
welcome lb. I thiflk that it will be of tyo use to bring up this
mat*er iit our Senate of the Allahabad University at present inas
much as it has no power to alter the statute and Act of the Impe
rial Council without which you cannot gain much.
^ I would, tfiei-efore, suggest that insiead of bringing this matter
before the se:qateyou may try to introduce some bill in the Yiceroy’s
30
IrAer V n iv c rsiiy feUcu'sJa'p schem f.
conncil tliix>Hgli Rome friend of yours :«floubtfal though I am as to
its eventual fate,* After the Act is amended, the mattei^may be
put before the 6enate,
^
,
Yours sinceiely,
* (SD.) SAMI U L L A a BEG.
J T a w f tb ,’ '
S
A G il A.
Dear Sir,
t.
J
o s e p h ’s
C o l l e g e , T u jc ii iN o r o L y
TEPPAKULAM P.O.
31st JHarc^ 1916.'
,
I have received your communication of the ]5tb Februaiy, and
1 beg to thank you for the same. Your pi’oposal will, I think, be
something of a surprise to member.s of the Msdras University. I
am quite in sympathy with any movement that can stimulate
eo-qijeration yet I must say that this proposal is so new to me tiiat
I shall require some time to think it over. I shall give it my best
attention, and I trust that by the time it comes before tbe Senate
in Madra.s, I shall have come to a definite decision as to how to use
my vote.
Yours faithfully,
(Sd.) H. T. OMIXEY.
“V
A
ik e - h o l t ”
bbot
R
o ad
LAHORE,
31-3-1916.
Dear Sir,
Your circular letter 15. 2. 16, regarding the Inter University
Pollowship Scheme. ^Yith due deference to ^ u r opinipn, while
greatly appreciating yitiir idea of bringing the different Ûniver
sities into closer touch, I doubt if your proposals will lead to any
practical good. So far as practice in tbe Punjab University goes
the annual meeting eon.sists merely of the Convocatjpn for confer
ring degrees etc. The presence of fellows of other Uniyersitiei.
31
A nsw ers.
%
oil tliat ocous.Ii*n even Tviyi all the rights and privileges of the
fellows of the University itself would not enable them to take
part in ^ny discussions or voting but would merely enable the
outside fellows to meet the fellows* of flie local Universities and
exchange ideas. I am not safe that it would be worth while
iu-eatiug a scheme of Inter Univei-sity fellowship merely for this
chjeck
I trust you will pardon me for out-spokenness, biit since you
wanted my-opinion I liave not hesitated to give it.
■
Yours faithfully ;
(Sd.) H A U tRES XANKANK,
Punjab Commision,
Fellow ^f the Punjab University.
T disapprove of your suggestions for the reasons discussed
below.
The scheme is quite impracticable and can serve no useful pur
pose. I t is bad enough to have our own fellows scattered as they
are ; and I am entirely opposed to anything that would add to that
difficulty. We already p:iy a high figure for T. A.
(Sd.) E. A. R ic o a e d s o n
•
AGRA.
3rd April 1916.
Dear Nawab Sahib,
I duly received your Circular Letter about the proposed Inter
University Fellowship Scheme and also your subsequent letter
dated^30th Ult. 1 am sorry that I an? too busy to give the matter
very oarejul consi^ration, but looking at it supSrficially 1 very
much do^bt whether any real practical bemetib would result from
the suggestion, and it would of course involve the University in
additional expense.
,
Tours sincerely;
»
(Sd.) L. STAULSCHMIDT.
32
In fe r U n lversify felloicshix> scheme,
•
P. S.
CnA N D Ri S e k a e ,
B. a ., M. D.
•
,
LocKsr-BT H a l l
35, POONAMALLBE RiÂD
K
il p a u k ,
M ApBAS, W .
4. 4. 191C.
Dear Sir,
•
Please excuse me for the delay in replying. I had been iU*
for some time. I do not think your proposals ^111 any -way benefit
the TTorking of the Yarious Universities. Each University should
progress in its own lines. Greatly depending on the condition of the
people in the particular province.
I am.
Yours truly,
(Sd.) P. S. CHANDRfV SEKAR, B. A.,
3052
Id
*
TRIVANDRUM,
4th, A p ril
1916.
Dear Sir,
"With reference to your circular letter dated 15th February
1916, I write to say that your first proposal has my appi’oval and
your second proposal my disapproval.
I am,
•Dear Sir
Yours faithfully,
(Sd.) li. C.HEDGION.
Nawab
,
Haji Md. Ismail KRan,
AGRA. U. P.
.
*
C ollege H
o,
E
s p l a ip a d e ,
MADRAS.*
•
4. 4. 1916.
Dear Sir,
I have considered your proposals to secure a closer touch
between the Universities.
®
33
A nsiccrs
%
I sympathise with the aim, but I caunot Support the proposals
mainly on piactical grounds!
1. Th# scheme would be of some value only if feading men could
bo sent, and these cannot find the tijne. •
2. The expense would be very.great.
3. I do not think the presence of two men at the annual meetings
would^do much to secure the closeness of touch which you very
properly desire.
I am,
Yours, faithfully,
(Sd.) G. PITTAXDINGH.
I disapprove of your suggestions for the reasons discussed
below.
I am sorry to have Jjeen so long in*attending to this but have
been away for 4 weeks and overlooked it.
(Sd.) M. S. DOUGLiS
Bate^ ^2nd Ap-il 1 9 1 6 .
Christ Church College,
CAWNPORE.
3 . C ly d e R
oad,
LtTOKNOW,
5.
4 .1 9 1 6 .
My Dear Nawalf Sahib,
Many thanks for your printed letter. I very much regret that
I am not in a position to offer my opinion on the points set out in
the printed letter.
•
Sincerely yours,
(Sd.) S. KARAilAT HUSAIN.
•
* S il v e r D
•
.
•
•
• L
*
ale,
ttto k
R
oad,
LAHORE.
Gth April 1916.
Dear Sir,
I am familiar with the working of the Punjab Duiversity only,
a^d there ia no such institution as an annual meeting. The convo-
34
In te r JJniversUy felloxL'slap scheme.
cation is lield each yaai‘to confer degrees on the successful candi
dates.
•
I t is highly Mesirable that the workers in different Indian
Universities be brought tîgether to discuss problems of common
interest, but I am afraid your suggjpstion as to be practical mode of
atbaiuing the object does not commend itself to me. Most of the
University work is done by the Board of studies and the syndicate,
and it is only matters of radical change which go to the senate,
and they cannot be mooted in the senate unless they have been
considered by the faculties and the syndicate.
Yours sincerely;
(Sd.) FAZAL HUSSAIN.
8(‘7i April 1916.
Dear Sir,
•
I regjgt to say that I do not agree with your suggestion dated
17. 2. 16. I tliink fellows t)f one University would very seldom
joii^.ho meetings of another University and even if they would
join, the question of travelling expenses would arise, either from
ciieir own University or from the University they joined in.
Besides no tangible benefit would seem to result from such
association.
(Sd.) Illigible.
No. 979.
F eck
*
L. RAGHUNATH SAHAI, B.A.,
H
•
D rA L
ea d
SiNon
M
aster,
H
ig h
S chool,
LAHORE,
Dated 9th April 1916.
To
.
Nawab H ajiÎd. Ismail Khan, Sahib,
*
Nawab of Dataoli?
*
AGRA.
•
•
Dear Sir,
I most heartily thank you for your circular letter dated the
15th February 1916, 1 have not been able to give much thought
35
A nsw ers.
*
to your proposals; but I cannot but say tb*it your proposals, if
carried out, will be *
of much good.
t
I am
•
• Youi's faithfully,
(^d.) RAGHUNATH BAHAI,
Fellow of the Punjab University.
C hadarghat,
HYDERABAD.
9{h April 1916.
Dear Sir,
•
In i-eply to yonr printed letter dated lotli Feb., 1916, I beg
to Hay tl»at while, in my opinion, an Inter University Scheme
would be useful in some^ways, it is a large and difficult project and
I do not think that it will receive much support at HTo present
time.
*
Yours very tru ly ;
(Sd.) N. G. VOlLiNKAR.
(Fellow, University of Bombay)
129,
E
spla n a d e
R
oad,
BOMBAY.
\bth Jprt'l I9i6.
Dear Sir,
I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your printed
letter dated tlie 15tU February 191G tiontaining the suggestions
you make for bringing the Indian Universities into closer touch
with one another. After carefully considering them, I regret to
say that T cannot approve of the suggtstious made.
1 do^ not see ^the utility of having two Fellows of another
Umveraity coming and taking part in disfussions of purely local
interest. During my connection with the Beiiafe and Syndicate
of the University of Bombay, no educational que.stion of general
4 IUI b Uj I o.
•
Inter TJniversitij fellou'sliip scheTfic.
0
ladian interest has yet arisen, t'.g., to say, no question in wliicli a
joint discussion
representatives of Indian Universities would
liave been profitable. I believe no such occasion ha.s arilen since
the passing of the Indian*Unirersitie.s Act of 1904.
Further, it is not always at^the annual meetings of the Uni
versity that questions of the greatest moment are discussed. 1 haj^
attended some annual meetings of the University of Bombay at
which bu.îhess of a very formal nature was transacted. The rules
of debate framed by the University of Bomba}’ are not elastic, alid
no proposition can be moved unles.s it has been first submitted for
the cousidoration of the Svndicate.
lyasfcly, it will be very difficult for any two fellows of another
University to discuss subjects and oppose pr(fpo.sitioiis which are
laid before the Senate aft«r they are carefully considered by the
SyiidicaU^body presumably well acquaiiftcd with local ed ucational
conditions.
•
^ f I may bo permitted to express my own view, I think the
better conr.se would be for members of Board.s of Studies of the
different Universities to consult each other before pre.scribing texts
and course.s of study and for Universities to indent upon members
of other Universities for examiners and lecturers. This would inti'oduce more uniformity into Indian Education.
1 shall be glad to receive from you the result of the opinions
you have received.
*
36
I am, Dear Sir,
•
Tours faithfully;
(Sd.) JJIRZA ALT MOHAMMED KHAN ;
To
Nawab Haji Moham^l Ismail Khan ,
*Fellow of the Allahabad University,
•*
AGRA.
37
A nsw ers.
%
* D eccan C o l l eg k ,
^ POONA,
»
* 19. 4. 1916.
Dear Sir,
*
,
•
’
I quite approve of tbe sugc^stion conveyed in your letter of
15th February 1916
Yours faithfully ;
(Sd.) SHAIKH AltDULKADIR.
M, A., F. B, H.
B
,
o t a n ic a l
L
ir o b a t g r t ,
G o jc e r n m k s t C o l l e g e ,
LAHORK.
20. 4. 1916.
Dear Sir,
•
With reference to your*circular letter on the Inter îiiversify
Fellowship Scheme, I beg to say that /our proposals are excellent
and I am very glad to support them. They will if adopted tencl to
introduce a utiiforfiiifcy in the regulations of the different provin
ces among other things.
Your.s truly,
(S d.) S n iB RAM
P
u l d b r R oad,
M alarae H
il l ,
Nawab Haji Md.»Ismail Khan
BOMBAY.
AGRA.
21si April 1916.
Dear Sir,
With reference to your printed letter of 15th February, 1916
received last month, I beg to inform you that I approve of a depu
tation of two or three Fellows being sent round to each of the other
Universities in India once intwo or thj-ee years to study the spe
cialities ofthe latter Universities. Butthe visit need not be to the
annual meetings, no*r would it be proper f^r the visitors to talco
parkin fclie proceedings of such meetings,
Tour.H faithfully ;
(Sd.) H. I. BIIABBA,
«
*
Syndic in Arts,
Bombay trniver.sjty.
38
Inter University fellowshi'p scheme.
0
*
G
^
overnm ent
C o l l i -g e ,
JuBHriPL'R C. p.
22, A-pi-il 1916.
^
Dear Sir,
*
»
^
•
I approve of your snggestinn«i*egarding tlie Inter University
Fellowship Scheme. I am convinced that it will certainly give a^
new impetus to educationnl operations in India, and bring aVout a
solid and beneficial change, it followed rightly.
(Sd.) SADA SHIVA PAW.*
Fellow, A. U
•
From
ifo . C o lle g e ,
liUCK'N'OW.
Dnfe24. 4. 16.
I disapprove of your suggestions for the reasons discussed
below.
1. I t is impracticable.
2. I t will not be of much good.
3. I t will be more advantageous to have an annual Inter
University Conference with delegates from each*University when
common matters could be discussed.
(Sd.) Dr. SAID UZ ZAFFAR KHAN.
From
W.
*
Y oukgm an,
C a n n in g C o l l e q r ,
•
DUCKNOW.
Bate, 24. 4, >916,.
The scheme does not strike me as being at all a workable one.
This comment with all re.spect.
Faithfully Yours,
»
(Sd.) W . T otjngm ^ n .
%
Answ ers.
t39
•
T rejfret to say that ow|ng to -want of leisnre, I could not exprftsa my opinion on youi*suggestions. Tberefoi'e*! can say nothing
as regafcU the approval or disapproval of these suggestions. At
a rapid glance I observe more troiible* difficulties and wa.ste of
time than benefit.
• • Can I suggest yon to kindly have a brief list published of the
benefits that occur from your suggestions with arguments. This
would help a great way in forming opinions.
(Sd.)
M.
A. 0
ilHgible.
C ollege,
ALIGARH H, P.
24th April 1916.
ify clear Nawab Sahib, ,
In reply to your circular letter jf the 15th F e b , last I am
entirely in sympathy with your object of bringing the Indian
Universities into closer* touch with one another, but there seem to
me to be two serious practical difficulties involved in your scheme.
The first is that the governing bodies of our Universities are
already sufficiently largo, and any substantial addition to them
would make it almost impossible to transact any business at all
during the time available.
In the secojuJ place, the representativea of other UniTersities
would probably soon out number the “ iuside members,” so that
each University would be controlled, not by its own Fellows, but
by others.
t
Youj'S sincerely;
(Sd.) D. REYNELL.
,
•
•
C h r is t ia n C o l l e g e ,
,
, allI h a ba d .
•
'•
24. 4. 16.
I think the Bcheme is too indefinite in its present form, and
probably it will be found iraposaible to devise a plan whoso advan
tages would af all balance the drawbacks.
(Sd.) P. H. EDWARDS.
49
h ite r V n iverg ity felloxi'ship scheme.
TO
Nawab Sahib of Dataoli.
•
*
>
Date, *2^. 4. 16.
Dear Sir,
Will you please forgive my delay in answering your circular
letter of 15th February.
,
I think your fii-at proposal a good one bat am not at present
in favour of the second.
•
I am, •
Tours faithfully,
(Sd.) Illigible.
I do not disapprove bu^ I do not believe it will lead to much
good.
^
•
(Sd.) Illigible.
LUCKNOW.
23/4/16.
I disapprove of your suggestions.
(^^d.) Illigible.
Q
u e e n ’s
C ollege,
•
BDNARES.
Date, ‘Ihth April 1916.
PfiOM
Md. ABDUL JALIL.
P
rofessor,
I approve of your suggestions.
BENARES,
25. I 1916.
Dear Sir,
•
Being indifferent in such matters, I cannot form any opinion
regarding the approval or disapproval of your suggestion.
/
•
•
Tours truly ;
(Sd.) RAM SASTRI 'BAILONG.
^
41
•
Aiisw ers.
fo,
A lbert
R oab,
A JiL A H A B A D .
•
29. 4. 1916.
Dear Sir, •
.
c
'
I very much regret the delay ia acknowledging your letter
regarding the Inter University Fellowship scheme.
I^liave considered your proposals I regret I cannot agree with
you. In the first place it does not seems to me to be at all practi*
cable that Fellows <fec. of the Alld. University should go to Madras
and vice vehsa. In the next place it seems to me that the scheme
if accepted is not likely to lead to any substantial good. We can
easily follow the pi’oceedings of other Universities by looking into
their minutes. I «ery much regret I have to differ from you in
th ’3 matter.
^
,
Yours truly,
(Sd.) TEJ BAHADDTT SAPRU.
The idea is a good one; but, in my humble opinion, is not
feasible. I am not sure also whether such a combination would
be in accordance with the Indian Universities Act as I have already
written before.
(Sd.) GANGA NATHA.
BANKIPUR.
May 1, 1916.
My dear sir,
•
I have read your letter with interest, and sympathise with
your object. I do not think, however, that sending representatives
to the Annual Meeting of another Unisersity would serve any pur
pose. Fellows are generally (1) Government servants, (2) pro
fessors i^ private colleges (In the U. P. you\ave very few of these),
(3) missionaries, (■!<) outsiders, lawyers, zemidai*a, &c. The first
three classes consist of busy people and the representatives would
pi-obably be s^Jected from the fourth class. I think that there are
‘already too many long speeches delivered at meetings, especially
^ Inter Umvsrdity fellowship Bcheme.
42
»
at the Annual Meeting, and it would not be wise to iucreaso this
loquacity by deputing two more profeasionul orators who must
make speeches to justify their appointment.
»
1 think that information ^bout the special circumstances of
any University can be obtatneci better by correspondence, or by
couvergation with Fellows representing the four classes abovj
mentioned, than by a visit to the annual meeting of the Seqate.
I ant glad that you are interesting yourself in these matters.
There is great room for improvement. I am my dear Nawab
Sahib,
^'ours faithfully,
(?d ) "W. OWSTOIS' SMITH.
DACCA,
**
B
engal
.
lit ^fay, 1916.
,
Dear Sir,
With reference to your printed letter of loth February, 1916,
which reached me to-day, on the subject of an “Inter University
Fellowship Scheme ; 1 regret to have to say that the cost of
travelling seems to mo likely to be very great, nor do I think there
would he safficieut compensating advantages accruing h'om the
scheme.
«
Tours faithfully ;
(Sd.) ILLIGBLE.
Ifawab Haji Md. Tsmail Khan,
AGEA
25,
*
•
M o h b n d ra B ose L an e,
Calcutta, the 1st May 191S.
•
•
Dear Sir,
•
,
In reply to your note of the 15th February 1916 (received
yesterday), I beg to state that the principle underlying your
communication, viz. that the different Universitieiîn India should
b© brought into closer touch with one another, has my entife
43
•
approval. The snggostions^ made by yoa may, to a cerhain extent,
help the realisation of this ideal and I am therefore in sympathy
with tl«e proposal.
Yours truly,
(Sd.) CHUNI LANB03E.
I >
D acca- G o l l e g e .
BENGAL,
■ 2 May 1916.
My dear Nawab Bahadur,
The objects whvob you have \u view are eiceUent: but I am not
sure by plunging'the repre.sentatives of one University into the
local politics of another you are takiiig the best course to secure
them.
•
^
What I would suggest would bo that there should be a Confer
ence each year held at different ceotre.s—that to such a CoufeTence
every College should send a representative and that the Directors
of Public Instruction and the Vice Chancellors of the Universities
should be always present. In such a g.athoring very valuable dis
cussions would take place. It would be a kind of parliament for
higher Education and it would help to mitigate the I.solation which
you deplore—ami justly—in our pre.sent system.
As things are a man may go on like a bullock in a sugar mill
year after year. He gets little or no outside influence. He sees
few fresh faces—rubs against few fresh minds: no one tells him of
new methods of study. Anything tliit will help to combat this
will be of value.
But as I say to try to secure the presence of representatives
at the annual meetings will go but a short way, and will probably
give fise to friction.
.
•
*
•
•
•
yours sincerely,
L. A. J. AROHBOLD,
{^Pnncipal)
44i
Intir University fdlou'ship scheme.
0
•
K adtalbaea,
N a ih a ti, p . 0 .,
B E N a^L .
.
.
J / 4 2, 1916.
Dear Sir,
^
I am afraid I do not quite appreciate the essence of your
scheme, and I shall bo glad if you will supply me with fuj’ther
information to enable me to understand it clearly.
i t is proposed that two fellows of each University should be
sent as represofttatives to the Annual meetings of the other Univer
sities. If the Annual meetings are held at the same time, there
may be some practical *difficulty. But apart from this, I am not
quite sure what part these representative Fellows are going to
tako in the proceedings of tîe Annual Meetings. Unless questions
of broad policy are discussed at these Anntial meetings, which, as
I undei*staud, is not always the case, no useful purpose will, I am
afraid be served, by attending and taking active part as you suggest,
in one meeting every twelve months.
Yours faithfully;
(SdJ SABRDE ROT
Fellow, Calcutta Univex’sity.
O f f i c e op t h b P r in c i p a l,
S a n s k r i t , *CoLLEGE,
Calcutta the 2nd May, 1916.
Dear Sir,
,
Please accept my sincere thanks for your kind letter dated the
15th February 19L6. The proposals explained in your letter are
both of them very laudable. I entirely agree with you in main
taining that if your proposal# are accepted by our Universities they
■will bring about ti now era of educational px’ogress in thi^country.
•*
Yours sincerely;
*
•
(Sd.) SATIS CHANDRA VIDYABHUSANA,
Fellow of the Calcutta, University ;
Pi’inoipal, Sanskl-it College. •
CALCUTTA.
,
Ansxcers.
45
JESTMAli.
^ 3rd May, 191G.
Dear Sir,
I have received your letter* of tlie 15th, February on the
subject of an Inter University fellowship Scheme, and I thank you
for it.
, *1 have thought over the matter and I think the scheme is
neither very useful nor easily workable.
The object of bringing all the Indian Universities
into closer
«
touch with one another will bo best secured by starting, if possible,
a new institution. This institution should have for ite members
Fellows of Indian Universities in a certain proportion. It is in
this institution fhab important questions affecting University
education can be fully discussed and then be brought before the
Indian Universities. This institution should be plaoed on a legal
footing.
•
The proposed Scheme cannot be worked under the easting
University. All and weighty reasons will not be found for chang
ing the existing law Each University is an independent unit. It
has its own traditions and its own amour propre. A couple of
Fellows from each of the other Uuiversities will not prove of much
good.
I regret tlrerefore I cannot bring myself to agree to the
proposal.
*
Yours faithfully,
;
(Sd.) Illigible.
Fellow University,
ALLAHABAD.
Nawab
*
HajeMd. Ismail Khan.
.
•
•Fellow of the Allahbad University
46
, Inter Vnii’ersity fellowship scheme.
•
•
To
*
Kawab Haji Mtl. Ismail Klmn.
Fellow, Allalmbad Uiiiver.sity.
3 S / 1 , S u k e a ’s S t r e e t ,
CALCUTTA.
Zrd
1916.
Lear Sir,
I received the other day your letter dated the 15th Febniary,
I do not see my wa)' to accept your proposals as I thiuk tliat only
men, who lake part in the proceedings of an university throughovrt
the year and are sufficiently familiar with local conditions and
circumstauces pan intelligently and usefully take part in its pro*
ceedings at its annual meeting. Tlie local conditions and circumstauces may be sometiiiics so different that men from other Uni
versities cannot be expected to do juHtice to matters affecting the
particular local univei'sity. While bjoadening of the intellectual
horizon by cotitact with ]?ien of other universities is desirable,
only men r<?hlly familiar with the questions and problems of a
partigular University from their connection with it throughout the
year and men conversant with local need.s and circumstances can
be expected to .solve its problems in a businesslike manner, other
wise the discussion is likely to be of the type which Burke con
demned in politic.s, abstract, metapliysical, theoretical.
Yours faithfully;
(Sd.) JANDURANÎAU BAKEKJI.
Fellow, Calcirtta University.
(Re. Inter Universitj*Fellowship Scheme)
T ub Collegb,
BARODA.
May îh, 1916.
Lear Sir,
•
,
I think you ilesire to try to bring the Tndiaij Univcrsifio.s into
closer touch with each o*ther, a very good one indeed.
•
«
T am afraid, however, that I do not see how your two proposals
will do much, if anything, to attain this object.
As far as the Bombay University is concernal the annual^
meeting is usually quite a formal affair, in which little real busi-
A nsw ers.
•
47
%
ness is done, so that if represeutatires of ofher UniTersities did
attend such a raeetiiig they woald from that meeting alone derive
very lit(4 o information as to the work and policy of the Univei’sity.
Attendance al every Senate meeting*wouW, I sapposo, be impractic
able.
•
, . Could you not work out a Scheme by which each Univei-sity
shgukl^preparo an annual explanatory statement of its doings and
policy, and send these to each Fellow, or at any rate to'tlie Syn
dics, of the other Universities.
Perhaps, too, short resumes of Senate resolotions and discus
sions might be circulated to the Fellowsôf other Universities.
As regards any one University having a voice in the affairs of the
other that could be flone by having a representative appointed to
the syndicate ; the representative to be ontitled to attend and vote
at all syndicate meeting!.
•
Do you think any University would agree to that?
Tours faithfully;
(3d,) S. G. BURROW.
Fellow, Univei’sity of Bombay.
P adma V ila s,
Luz, Mylapore,
MADRAS, S.
Friday, blh May. 1916.
Dear Sir,
I duly received aometimo in Marcl**last your printed circular
letter of the 15th February 191G and regret that owing to my
illness I was unable to attend to it earlier.
In the firet place I am against ycyir proposal; ah-eady Lord
Curzou^s University Act of 1904 has done enough ofr mischief by its
attempt uf create aî amount of undesirable uniformity among
Universities existing so far from each other. Do you find any
such attempt in Kngland ? There the more recent ones rather fly
away from Cambridge and Oxford and would not touch them with'
*,*pair of tongs.
48
tint&r Umversity fellowship schetne.
•
The Indian Universities have already been made slaves to
Cambridge and Oxford because it is only men of those Universities
that are appointed to the Indian Educational Service #nd they
dominate, I know, the M#dras* University. I sincerely ■wish there
•were a dozen Universities in diich Major Province at least in
India. Each constituted according to local needs and catering, tp
a ranch smaller iranaber of undergraduates. The examUiations
conducted by the University are a mere farce. Students are being
slaughtered like sheep and goats. Some Examiners value —eich
of them—something like 2000 an.swer papers in about 3 weekB.
I t is becoming scandalous but the senate is powerless, as the
syndicate, which in name is subordinate to Senate, has been given
extraordinary rights and powers and its very constitution is
sickening. I have been ôth an elected and a nominated fellow
these 14 ygars and I have been renorainated for another 5 years.
From my experience 1 am strongly of opinion that each of the
exi;fting Universities must work separately for its salvation and
Government should be induced to start more Universities.
Your first proposal seems harmless—provided the representa
tives simply sit and watch . 1 "was going to add “learn” but I
omit the word because nobody can learn auythiug iu Madras.
As to the second proposal 1 don’t think it will be permitted at
all in the Madras where the average attendagee of fellows at an
annual meetings is 60 to 70, If two representatires from Bombay,
two from Calcutta, two from Patna, two from Allahabad and two
from the Punjab are permitted to attend, their number will be 1/6
or 1/7 of the strength of ftiose that annually attend iu Madras. If
you also bear in mind that oil important propositions are carried
by a majority of 3 or 5 you will kindly see the utter impractic
ability of your proposal. ^
I am sorry I cannot agree with you and as I wantSd to be
quite frank I wrote at** this length, t would*if 1 may,ûggest to
you that you should first visit all trfe existing Universities and
see for yourself the actual state of affairs.
Hoping to be excused for the delay I remain to be
Yours faithfully
•
(•?d). r . C. DESIKAOHAERY. Kt.
A nsw ers.
49
•
A^jLAHABAD,
Maji 6 , 1916.
1 disa|>provo of your sug^jestioas for the reasons discussed
below. * *
•
•
I hare thought it over more tliaii once. I t would be expensive
3ipd lead 1 fear to no solid results.
The workings of the several
Uiyveusities differ much and are not likely to change at the bidding
of outsiders. Seeing their iguorance of the inner workings of a
Urtiveraity Ibeir criticism would often be merely destructive and
hence of little value.
(Sd.) ^ S ia G. L. KIXDBY.
P b in c ipa l :
Da. GEORGE HOWELLS.
N o.
312,
Nawab Haji Md. Ismail Khan,
AGRA U. P.
S ekampore C o lleg e,
*
BENGAL.
Afuy S//i, T916.
*
Dear Sir,
I beg to acknowledge with thanks your letter of the 15th
EebTuary in regard to the Interim University Fellowship Scheme.
1 consider your proposal is likely to be of some advantage in bring
ing Indian Universities nearer together and thus promote the in
terests of sound education.
Yours faithfully ;
(Sd.) GEORGE HOWELLS.
Fellow of the Calcutta University.
Dear Sjr,
•
I am afraid that I cannot .see any likelihood *of much good
coming fiyin your proposals ^kough the firs^Kit least seems open to
no objection.
Bats, GtTi Mayj 1916.
Tours faithfully.
(Sd.) G. E. FERWENS.
80
•Inter Umvcrsitij fellowship scheme.
•
,JT a r ik sl d a n g a , C alcutta.
To
,
*
lO/?t 3fa^, 1916.
Kawab Haji Md. Ismail Khan.
^
•
Dear Sir,
*
■
I received on the 24ifch April 1916 yonr printed letter dated
the 15th Febraary 1916, containing your two proposals relating-t«
an Inter University Fellowship Scheme and asking my (Opinion
■upon them.
In reply I beg to say that while agreeing with you as to the
desirability of bringing Indian Universities into closer touch ■with
one another, I do no^ think that your proposals are easy to be
carried out aud likely to lielp very far the object aimed at. In
the first place, no University can, without fresh legislation, give
two representatives of other Universities the privileges of Fellow
ship ; and Hi the second place the attendance of two representatives
of any University at the a^jnual meeting of any other University
wilf not be likely to bring the two Universities into very close
touch with one another.
I t may perhaps be an easier and more effective plan to attain
yonr object, if eacli University at its annual meeting appoints a
small Inter University Committee to study the proceedings of other
Universities and to advise it to communicate with them on matters
of general interest from time to time.
*
•
(Sd.)
Yours faithfully ;
GOOROO DASS BANERJEE-
Easulpur, 10. 5. 1916.
BiUfiP. 0.
Via Indus (Burdwan.)
Dear Sir,
,
*
•
I duly received yg*ir kind note and fully Agree witij your two
proposals about bringing all the IinJian Universitie.s iffto closer
conneotion and touch.
Yours faithfully;
(Sd.) Md. IRFAN.
(Fellow of the Calcutta University.)
,
A nsw ers.
51
•
,
S a w y *Ho t e l ,
CALCUTTA.
•
^
J/u?/ 15^/*, 19lC.
Dear Mrf Kh*an,
•
•
Your letter of February 15tl?, sent to me at presidency college,
U^lcutfa, bas been forwarded to me here.
^ I entirely approve of your proposals for the bringing together
of fellows from the various Indian Universities. I shall be glad
to’see these suggestions acted on very soon.
Yours sincerely,
(Sd.) T. S. STERLING.
7 9 /1 A
From
D
r, s
.
p.
S a r r a d h ik a b i,
m t ie k s t
S treet,
Calcutfh the \7th May 1916.
•
C.
M . D.
To
Nawab Heji lid . Ismail Khan,
(Fellow of the Allahabad University'),
AGRA U. P.
Dear Sir,
I have given my best thought to your letter regarding an Inter
University Fellowship Scheme. The idea is based upon sound
principles but Ithink the w'crking details need a good deal of thioking out. The nomination of two Fellows from each University to
attend the Senate Meetings of any particular University is not
likely to lead to any strikingly good r^snlts, They will be more
or less in the same position as the “co-opted” faculty merubors, of
whom my experience as working partners is not, generally, all that
is considered acceptable or desirable.. I t is for tliig reason that
some Facultie.s, at anyrate, have foregone the ‘right to co-opt
memhei;^*from tiine to time. If, howoveV, a mature scheme for
inciting the Vico-Chancell^r and some members of the Syndicate,
or Faculties, who are experts in any particular subject, which
might be of al^ôrbing interest for the time being, were elaborated,
*t will be, I think a distinctly good thing. They will bring to bear
,I»ter Xfniversity fellowship schewc.
52
•
upon tlie questions, "under discussion^ iin amount of WKsdora that
should be of distinct service to Unwersities generally.
This is a maftei* which requires recasting of the Act«f incor
poration of the Indian Universities. Before it ia furtheiâgitated
I tliink informal meetings of reîreaontatives f/-om the different
Indian Univer.sities should be held in some central place on th&
bi-oad ideas.
•
Subject to those suggestions I am certainly for some such
scheme as you have broached.
Thanking you for your courtesy in calling for my opinion
•(Pd )
•
•
*
r am,
Yotu’s faithfully,
S. P. SARBADHIKARI,
Member of the Senate,
Calcutta University.
C hervrbmont,
DARJILING.
May 17, 1916.
Dear Sir,
The idea underlying your circular letter of Feb. 15th commends itself to me ; I cannot doubt that there wûld be real gain
in bringing the various Indian Universities somewhat more closely
in touch with each ofber and enabling them occasionally to take
counsel together on somo«of the problems which are common to
them all. So far, however, as I am in a position to judge, I do
not think that the method you suggest for attaining this end—viz
the attendance at annual meetings of each University of Fellows
representing the other UaTversitios—would be effective or*desirable. Not a few objecônsto it suggest themaolves to me though
I do not think it necessary to mentionlthem.
•
•
I should myself think that if it were possible to arrange for
an occasional Conference—perhaps once in 5 yeare or something
of that kind—to be attended by Fellows representfbg the varioui
Universities, and before which the special questions ordiffioulties
•
A nsw ers
53
•
4
with rfl/ârd to which corani<)ii action is most desirable, might come
for consideration, considerable’gain woald accruj.
*
,»
I am,
Yours sincerely,
(Sd.) G. A. CALCUTTA,
(^Bishop).
M iT H I L O D p E , COLABA,
BOMBAY,
,
2Qth Mmj, 1916.
To
Nawab Haji Md Ismail K.han,
Nawab o£ Dataoli.
*
Fellow of trtie Allahabad University,
U. ff, AGRA.
,
Dear Sir,
I owe you an apology for not acknowledging the receipt of
your letter dated 15bh Februaiy 1916 and for nob replying to it
earlier. I was away from Bombay and had received the letter at
Matheran. I proposed replying to it on my return to Bombay but
by some mistake the letter remained mixed up with other papers
and thus reraaiued uureplied up to now.
I appreciate your laudable desire to see that the Indian Uni
versities may understand the schemes of each other but I am sorry
I do not see how that object can be attained by two representatives
of each University attending the annual meetings of the Univer
sities. The annual meetings are more or leas formal and it is not
always that any schemes are formed at the.se annual meetings.
Again if th e two representatives ISarn anything at the annual
meetingp about the schemes &o. there i.^no guarantee that what
tlwy letrn will be known||Dy all the rest of the members of their
University unless there is any farther arrangmenb that the two
repre-seutatives must submit a regular report of their visit to their
,own University. I think that your laudable object in view may
be better served by something like the following
Înter University fellowship scheme.
5^
•
9
Every Indian ITaiversity may get prepared by its Registrar
a short Resume of its work dnritig the year, I mean a Resume not
of all its work, buT of such as it will interest other Univereities to
know. Copies of such Besumes may be sent to all tfle other
Universities.
•
Yours faithfully, • •
(Sd.) J. JAMSHAIDJI itOUI.
•
P
b e sid e n c t
C
ollkgb,
CALCUTTA,
June 6, 1916.
Dear Sir,
,
I regret to have delated in answering your letter regai’ding
the Inter University Fellowship Scheme. •
I believe that the time ^ r such a Scheme is not y e t: tliat the
Indian Universities are too occupied with their own territorial
duties to be ready yet for anything like a common policy ; until
they are ready for this such a scheme as you suggest will amount
to only an exchange of courtesy with no practical value for Uni
versity administration.
*
I have the honour to be,
Yours* obediently;
(Sd.) W. C. WORDSWORTH, M. A. OXON.
(Fellow of the Calcutta University.)
Intar Universiiy FelUnvsldp Scheme.
•
55
•
IS. PI't.'ROFTS ROAD
MADRAS, 7-8-1916.
Dear Sir, , ,
reference toyoarcivcai?irlet<«rof the IStli.Feb. 1910, I
Tvisb to inform yo\i that I appreciate your laudable object of bring* fng the Indian Universities into closer touch with one another and
jfppi’ove both of your suggestions vritli a view to secure that object.
,
Yours fiiithfullj
Sd. P . V. SESHU AITAR
Fellow of the Madras University.
"A
.
' V
/

ii H The Patna University Bill. - National Library Digital Repository

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