Bill passed in Karnataka Assembly to establish Sanskrit University

Bangalore: The Karnataka Legislative Assembly today passed a Bill which provides for establishment of a Sanskrit University in the state.

The Bill was originally titled the Karnataka Samskrita Veda Vishwavidyalaya Bill, 2009, but the government said “Veda” would be dropped when it is tabled in the Legislative Council following objection by D K Shivakumar (Congress), who argued that the study of Vedas is a separate subject.

Congress members contented that study of Sanskrit was important and needs to be promoted, but there was no need for a separate university for Sanskrit. Demanding withdrawal of the bill, they staged a walk-out.

The Bill, piloted by Higher Education Minister Aravind Limbavali, was then passed.

It seeks to encourage research in Sanskrit and in areas and disciplines connected with the language and systemise its study in the existing Sanskrit institutions in the State.

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