‘Bengal to protest against Centre’s saffronisation, fund slashing in education’

Kolkata, June 2 (IANS) The West Bengal government will write a "strong letter" to the Centre to protest against the latter's "saffronisation and religious divisiveness" in education and slashing of funds to the sector, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Friday.

"We are writing a strong letter because issues pertaining to NEET (National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test) scholarships etc. are very important. We have taken a strong stand against these issues. I am against divisiveness on the basis of religion in education," Banerjee said while chairing an administrative review meeting at Pailan in South 24 Parganas.

Banerjee made her government's stand on the issue known while reacting to a Jadavpur University student's query on the matter.

She exhorted the student community to unite and use social media to counter divisive and religious politics.

"Students are our asset. The student community of Jadavpur must unite and use social media to protest and pave the way for other varsities to follow," the Chief Minister said.

"We want Jadavpur University to prosper and this is above party interests," she said.

Banerjee also welcomed students to join politics.

"I want good people to do politics. Politics will be strengthened if students join in. We invite students to these administrative meetings because we want them to enter public service," she added.