Lok Sabha passes bill to set second Central university in Bihar

New Delhi: Lok Sabha today passed a bill to set up one more Central university in Bihar, with the government saying it was fulfilling the wish of the people. The Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2014, was first introduced by HRD Minister Smriti Irani in the House in August. Replying to a debate in the House, Irani spoke about the steps taken by the government to strengthen education in the country and said that by establishing one more Central university at Motihari in East Champaran, the government was strengthening the will of the people.[caption id=“attachment_1823343” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Lok Sabha clears second Central university for Bihar. PTI [/caption] The new Central university is named after Mahatma Gandhi. Champaran was the place where Gandhi experimented with the idea of ‘satyagrah’ during the ’neel andolan’ (indigo movement) in 1917. The university at Motihari would have its jurisdiction north of river Ganges in the state. At present there is just one Central university in Bihar and that is located in Gaya. Participating in the debate, TMC MP Saugata Roy said that those who are holding the highest post in the education department should “encourage scientific temper”. Referring to the HRD minister’s recent visit to an astrologer, he said such actions do not “encourage scientific temper”. Replying to Roy’s remarks, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said a person’s faith and religion are related to that person’s choice and it should be respected by all. Irani said she believes that her strong faith in religion should not be affected by somebody’s words. PTI