BJP leader’s trust makes ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ compulsory for students seeking admission

A trust run by a BJP leader Dilip Sanghani has made it mandatory for students seeking admission to its educational institutions in Gujarat to write ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ in their application forms to secure admission, escalating the controversy surrounding this slogan. Those who refuse will not be given the admission, according to the trust.

The direction by Amreli-based Shree Patel Vidhyarthi Ashram Trust, established by Sanghani’s forefathers a century ago, sparked condemnation from the Congress which said it was an attempt by BJP to divert people’s attention from core issues while senior advocate Girish Patel said it violated several fundamental rights including the right to education.

The trust runs two high schools, a primary school and a college in the region giving admission to more than 1,500 students. Justifying the decision, Sanghani linked it to the recent events at the Jawaharlal Nehru University(JNU).

“Time has come to rejuvenate the spirit of patriotism among students, especially after anti-India slogans were (allegedly) shouted at JNU campus in Delhi. Opposing the chanting of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ is like opposing the country.