Paradox of ‘nativism’: A Central University for Goa?

Koshy Tharakan* and Manish K. Thakur**

The decision of the Government of India to establish one Central University in each of the
sixteen states that did not have one so far was a welcome move as far as Higher Education is
concerned. In fact, some State Governments wanted more than one central university to be set
up in their states. For instance, the Central Universities Act 2009 converted H.N.B. Garhwal
University to a Central University. Nevertheless, the State Government wanted the Kumaon
University too to be converted to a Central University. In his letter to the PM, the Chief
Minister of Uttarakhand Sri B.C.Khanduri said, "Kumaon and Garhwal are the two distinct
regions of Uttarakhand. The grant of a Central University status only to the Garhwal
University would deprive the Kumaon region of the spin-off benefits that a central university
brings for higher education."1 The Government of India had also envisaged converting Dr.
Harisingh Gaur University, Sagar (Madhya Pradesh), Guru Ghasidas University, Bilaspaur
(Chhattisgarh) and Goa University, Goa besides Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal
University, Garhwal2. However, the decision to convert Goa University into a Central
University had witnessed a rage of debate in Goa. While a section of Goans welcomed this
move, another section opposed the same. A Parliamentary Panel, constituted on the Central
Universities Bill 2008, had suggested that the proposal to upgrade Goa University into a
Central University be dropped as for now. Nonetheless, the Committee had remarked:
"Efforts may, however, be made to evaluate the situation with a holistic and balanced
approach to ensure that Goa does not remain the only state without a Central University." 3
Ultimately, the Union Government put the decision on hold and Goa remains the only state
without having a Central University.

Unlike the opposition to the controversial decision regarding the creation of SEZs in
Goa, the people of Goa in general were not against the idea of a Central University in Goa.
Rather, the dissenting voices aired in the media or other forums primarily centre on the
rationale behind the conversion of the existing state university into a central one. This debate
certainly reveals the ‘paradox of nativism’ which itself is reflective of the alacrity and
sensitivity of civil society in Goa. In policy terms, this boils down to the pragmatics of either
converting the lone State University into a Central University or start a new Central
University altogether in the state of Goa.

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 Would it not be wonderful to have a new Central University so that students get
additional avenues for higher education in Goa besides what is provided at the Goa
University (GU)? A comparatively small state as Kerala was sanctioned a new Central
University besides the proposal for a centre of Aligarh Muslim University in Malappuram. A
Deemed University, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology by the Department of
Space, Government of India and another Indian Institute of Science Education and Research
by the Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD), Government of India, have also
been in operation since last academic year in Thiruvanathapuram. So why should Goa ask for
anything less than a new Central University?

The proponents of a de novo Central University are generally the ones who are
vehemently opposed to the conversion of GU into a central university. Predictably enough,
they are worried about the perceived threat to local ‘aspirations’ and ‘identity’ in the wake of
proposed conversion. For example, Shri Shantaram Naik, the Rajya Sabha MP from Goa, has
been emphatic in his assertion that a Central University is, by definition, detrimental to the
interests of the locals4. This assertion, ironically, does not stop other influential politicians of
the state to argue for Goa’s entitlements of more centrally funded institutes of higher
education besides a separate central university. In fact, the Government of Goa got the
Central Government to sanction a new National Institute of Technology this year5.

By contrast, those who favour the conversion of GU to a Central University question

the very rationale of starting a new Central University when GU finds it difficult to fill even
the limited seats offered through its various postgraduate programmes. According to them, a
new Central University would be a waste of precious resources as far as Goan students are
concerned. Given the competitive nature of higher education elsewhere in India, it would be
no surprise if the new Central University ends up having negligible number of Goan students
on its rolls. Again, it is a common knowledge that in any institution of higher learning that
has national admission policy, the percentage of local students in those institutions would be
less. The case of Goa would be no different; rather the very location and ‘brand image’ that
Goa has would only attract more students from other parts of India. In fact, a cursory glance
at the profile of the students in Goa Institute of Management as well as BITS Pilani, Goa
Campus, would confirm their apprehension. With a new Central University, they point out
that Goa would be having a ‘University of excellence’, but Goan students would practically
have no access to it. Thus, they root for the conversion of GU into a Central University,
rather than a de novo Central University. It is a paradox that the arguments both for and
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against the conversion of GU into a Central University are based on an avowed belief in
nativism.

Bracketing such nativist concerns for a while, let us reflect on what is really at stake
in the proposed conversion of GU into a Central University. Contrary to the claims of some
of the elected representatives, both from the ruling party and the opposition of Goa,
appropriation of land by the Central Government is not the issue. Otherwise, there would not
have even a word about a de novo Central University that needs another four hundred acres of
land! Again, we fail to make sense of this whole talk of land being grabbed by Central
Government, once GU is converted into a Central University. The entire assets of GU as is
managed now by the University would continue to be managed by the GU even if it is
converted into a Central University. The same has been stated in the Central University Act
2009 with regard to the other state universities converted to central universities.

An apparently convincing argument against the proposed conversion is made in terms

of Goa’s specific identity and culture. The argument is that every state needs a University
‘controlled’ by the State Government as a cultural icon of the state. We believe that
educational institutions ought to reflect the cultural ethos of every State or region that it is
located and facilitate locals to fulfil their aspirations. Nevertheless, it is pertinent to ask
whether to realize this cherished goal is it necessary, and more importantly, is it desirable to
have control of the State Government. Let us address the question of necessity first. By no
stretch of imagination could it be argued that only a State controlled University would be able
to propagate the culture and uphold the identity of the people or satisfy local aspirations. The
contrary belief is one that undermines the various private initiatives we have in the State in
the cultural realm including the various media houses that do yeoman service in the field of
culture and everyday life of Goa. It is presumptuous to think that a Central University would
not be able to serve these ends. Now, let us ponder on the question of the desirability of State
control of Universities. Drawing on Louis Althusser’s distinction between ‘Ideological State
Apparatuses’ (ISAs) and ‘Repressive State Apparatus’ (RSA), it may be pointed out that
educational institutions belong to the structure of ISAs as they are a means of cultural and
ideological propagation. As against such ISAs, the RSA is embodied in the various organs of
the State itself, such as the Government, the Army, the Police, and the Prison etc. What will
happen if ISAs are brought under the control of RSAs is anybody’s imagination. It is in the
interest of the autonomy and freedom of academic institutions that they resist the control of

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RSAs. The very nature of a Central University is that the scale of interference from the
Government would be much less than in the case of a State University.

Now, to deliberate on the other side of the issue: what benefits do the Goan students
get from the proposed conversion of GU into a Central University? By the very fact that the
State is handing over the resources and infrastructure to the service of the entire Nation, it is
only legitimate to insist that Goan students must be able to reap the benefits substantially.
With this in mind, Goa should ask for reservation up to 50% for Goan Students in the Central
University6. Goan students would immensely benefit from the proposed conversion. There
would be a substantial increase in financial allocation that leads to better infrastructure,
recruitment of more quality faculty members. GU has been functioning for years with less
than adequate faculty members in all the disciplines. It is a matter of concern that GU could
not expand to new areas and disciplines over the course of last two decades.

More importantly, the very ambience of a Central University, which ideally have
students from all over the country, would be a great ‘experiential learning’ for Goan students
as well as students from other states. By insulating ourselves, we hardly protect our identities
and cultural ethos. Rather we begin to appreciate our culture and identity only in the vicinity
of an ‘other culture’. What better ways to propagate our culture and protect our identity than
to show them in practice to our counterparts from other parts of India? However, in order to
achieve this, we need to ensure that new Central Universities in smaller states have
provisions to admit 50% of students from the state where it is located. It would be an added
incentive for the concerned states to seek relatively better higher education system than the
less competitive educational system currently in place.

*Dr. Koshy Tharakan was a lecturer in Philosophy at Goa University from1996

until recently. Since August 2009, he is an Associate Professor in Philosophy at
the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, Gujarat. koshy@iitgn.ac.in

**Dr. Manish K. Thakur has taught Sociology at Goa University for more than a
decade, and, is currently based at the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta.
mt@iimcal.ac.in

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1

India edunews.October 6, 2008. Uttarakhand CM for central status to Kumaon University, Available at
http://www.indiaedunews.net/Uttaranchal/ (Accessed on 11/2/2010).
2
With the enforcement of The Central Universities Act, 2009 notified in The Gazette of India, Extraordinary
Part II, Section I, No. 27, March 20, 2009 all these state universities are now central university except Goa
University.
3
India edunews December 18, 2008. Panel against upgrading Goa University to Central varsity Available at
http://www.indiaedunews.net/Goa/ (Accessed on 11/2/2010).
4
Times of India August 24, 2008 Experts discuss Goa university status change, Available at
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Experts-discuss-Goa-university-status-
change/articleshow/3397661.cms (Accessed on 11/2/2010)
5
Times of India September 18, 2009. Boon for Goan kids, state gets an NIT Available at
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Boon-for-Goan-kids-state-gets-an-NIT/articleshow/5024858.cms
(Accessed on 11/2/2010) As per the news report, the new NIT would implement a reservation of 50% seats for
Goan students.
6
Similar to the demand in the case of the new NIT to be set up in Goa, the Govt. of Goa may insist on a 50%
reservation for Goan students once the only state university is converted to a central university.