As the Indian general election is coming closer, scheduled for next summer (April- May 2024) to elect the members of the 18th Lok Sabha, BJP is accelerating its election campaign in a new way.
Recently, the Indian University Grant Commission (UGC) has ordered all universities and colleges across the country to set up selfie points with the picture of the running Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the background, reports The Telegraph.
The authorities are asked to promote the selfie zones among the students to click selfies and share them on social media.
The goal of the initiative is to generate excitement about "India's achievements in various fields," as stated by the UGC, to "foster a sense of collective pride."
Several academics have already criticized this act. They said that the regulator had forced academic institutions to participate in a "cult-building" activity that they had "have nothing to do with."
A letter to the vice chancellors of all Indian universities and the principals of all the colleges from UGC Secretary Manish Joshi, sent on Friday stated: “There is a unique opportunity to harness the energy and enthusiasm of the youth, molding their minds with inspiration drawn from India’s progress in diverse fields.”
“Let us celebrate and disseminate the incredible strides made by our country by establishing a ‘Selfie Point’ within your institution. The aim of ‘Selfie Point’ is to create awareness among the youth about India’s achievements in various fields, particularly the new initiatives under the National Education Policy 2020,” stated in the letter.
The letter adds: “You are requested to encourage students and visitors to capture and share these special moments on social media platforms, fostering a sense of collective pride.”
Diverse designs have been proposed by UGC for the selfie points. A specific theme, such as the internationalization of education, diversity, and unity, the Smart India Hackathon, the Indian knowledge system, multilingualism, and the country's ascent in higher education, research, and innovation, is the focus of each design.
Every selfie spot on campus needs to be planned out in three dimensions and placed in a prominent location.
A professor at a prestigious university claimed that the government was giving the prime minister credit for every ordinary accomplishment while painting it as spectacular.
He said: “What is happening is full-blown propaganda to build a cult figure. The State is doing it using public institutions that have nothing to do with these activities.”
“There is no provision in the law to enable the government or the UGC to ask academic institutions to promote such propaganda,” he added.
According to the academic, the prime minister's photos had been shared through a variety of platforms, including Covid-19 vaccination certificates. At the Rozgar Melas, selfie spots have been set up where newly appointed government employees, as well as promoted in-service employees, are required to stand and pose for photos.
An academic said: “A subtle perception is being created that only one leader is responsible for all these activities.This is being done to misguide gullible voters keeping the elections in mind.”
Expressing that selfies that promote diverse ideas, encourage debate, and address public issues are welcome, a faculty member at Jawaharlal Nehru University said: “The university is a place to nurture a multiplicity of opinions. If the idea is to promote a singular opinion, pushed by the dominant forces, it compromises the long-term interests of the university.”
A management teacher argues that the UGC issues circulars, but campus administrations can ignore them, stating that leaders who are not sycophants can ignore such advice.
