Mon Mar 03 18:56:31 UTC 2025: ## Mysuru Academics Protest Closure of Karnataka Universities

**Mysuru, Karnataka – March 4, 2025** – A group of academics in Mysuru have condemned the Karnataka state government’s decision to shut down nine of the ten recently established universities. Addressing a press conference on Monday, retired Vice Chancellor Mahadev of ASBM University, Bhubaneshwar, criticized the government for establishing the universities without expert consultation, solely for political gain, and subsequently failing to provide adequate funding.

Dr. Mahadev argued that closing the universities is a grave mistake, emphasizing the need for increased financial support for higher education in the state. The academics calculated that the universities require ₹342 crore (approximately $41 million USD), a sum they believe is not an undue burden on the state’s budget. They stressed the importance of considering the educational, social, and developmental implications of the closures.

The academics also highlighted the disparity in higher education access, noting that while Karnataka has 42 government and 27 private universities (17 in Bengaluru alone), students from rural and socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds do not benefit from the private institutions. Many private universities fail to meet UGC land requirements and other standards, contributing to a high dropout rate among 17-23 year olds.

Furthermore, they pointed to the discrepancy between the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’s goal of increasing the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) to 100% and the reduced funding for higher education from both the central (8% down from 14%) and state (4%) governments. The academics also criticized the lack of faculty recruitment in existing universities, leading to vacant positions and a decline in enrollment, forcing students to seek education abroad.

Comparing India’s university count (5,509) to that of the U.S. (3,500), despite a significant population difference, the academics advocated for a substantial increase in the number of universities in India – to at least 10,000 – to fuel economic growth. The academics were joined by S.R. Ramesh, K.P. Vasudevan, Prabhuswamy, and others at the press conference.

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