Haridwar med college students up in arms against 'privatisation' under BJP govt

Students of Jagjeetpur Medical College in Haridwar have launched a fierce protest against the Uttarakhand government’s decision to hand over the college’s management to Sharda Educational Trust under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. Accusing the BJP-led state government of backdoor privatisation, the students are demanding an immediate rollback of the decision.

Students allege that they were kept in the dark about the transition and feel betrayed by the lack of transparency. “We don’t want the tag of a private college,” one protesting student said. “There is no value for all the hard work we put in to gain admission here. We weren’t even informed about this privatisation decision.”

The protesters fear the PPP model will lead to increased fees, making medical education unaffordable for many, and diminishing the prestige often associated with government-run institutions.

Reacting sharply to the controversy, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal accused the BJP of prioritising private interests over public welfare. “The BJP’s dirty politics is exposed in Uttarakhand. It is systematically privatising essential services like education, health, and electricity. In Delhi, I have been warning about how the BJP gifts public land worth billions to its friends while opposing free education and healthcare,” Kejriwal said.

The Dhami government, however, denied allegations of privatisation. Officials clarified that the college was not being privatised but would operate under a PPP model, which involves shared responsibilities between the government and the private entity.

“The PPP model aims to improve the college’s infrastructure and operations, not to burden students,” a BJP spokesperson stated.

Despite assurances, students remain sceptical. They argue that the shift to a PPP model might lead to profit-driven management practices, significantly increasing tuition fees and diluting the academic reputation of the institution.

Local media reported that apart from the Haridwar medical college, two more medical colleges — Harrawala Cancer Hospital and Haldwani Children’s Hospital — will also be handed over to private players.

This protest marks yet another flashpoint in the broader debate over privatisation of public services, with students and political opposition criticising the BJP’s approach as catering to corporate interests at the expense of public welfare.

The standoff continues, with students vowing to intensify their protests until their demands are met.