TURA, Aug 23: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s blame game on Meghalaya’s University for Science and Technology (USTM) for the recent floods in his state capital city of Guwahati is finding no takers in this part of the state that sends a large number of students to the targetted institute near Jorabat.
There is shock and disappointment within the student community on this side of the state against the political threat of the chief minister to bar students from the institute in getting government jobs in his state.
Leading the charge against the chief minister and lending a voice to the student community is self styled social activist Cherian Momin from Tura who has termed Sarma’s recent statements as “antagonistic” towards an institution that has been providing quality education for thousands of young minds over the years.
“The Chief Minister’s repeated allegations against USTM and his subsequent actions have not only cast a shadow over the institution’s reputation but have also sparked a larger debate about the role of leadership, governance, and the future of education in the region,” says Cherian Momin.
By blaming USTM for the flooding, the Chief Minister is shifting the focus away from the broader systemic issues that contribute to such environmental crises, the social activist points out.
“His decision to penalize USTM graduates by requiring them to undergo additional exams is a punitive measure that does not address the root cause of the problem.The implications of the Chief Minister’s actions are far-reaching. They undermine the principle of meritocracy, which should be the foundation of any fair and just society,” suggests Cherian Momin.
Hailing USTM for being recognised across India as a premier educational institution recognized for its academic excellence and its contributions to the intellectual and social fabric of the Northeast, earning it a place among the top 200 universities in India, as ranked by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), Momin said it stands testament to the hard work of its students, faculty, and administration, and the university’s commitment to providing quality education.
The Assam chief minister’s threat to impose additional examinations on USTM graduates as a prerequisite for qualifying for government jobs in Assam has been termed as “A clear indication of his intent to undermine the institution.”
“This move, coupled with his inflammatory remarks, has raised serious concerns about the fairness and integrity of his leadership,” said the social activist and termed it as the language of someone who is willing to use one’s power to settle scores and exert control, regardless of the collateral damage.
