BJP leader demands to rename JNU as Swami Vivekananda University, Congress reacts

Nov. 17: In a latest controversy, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) General Secretary CT Ravi has demanded that Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) be named after Swami Vivekananda. Established in 1969, the university is currently named after India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

It is Swami Vivekananda who stood for the "Idea of Bharat". His philosophy & values signify the "Strength of Bharat".

It is only right that Jawaharlal Nehru University be renamed as Swami Vivekananda University.

Life of Bharat's patriotic Saint will inspire generations to come.

— C T Ravi 🇮🇳 ಸಿ ಟಿ ರವಿ (@CTRavi_BJP) November 16, 2020

Ravi, who is not new to making controversial remarks, tweeted “It was Swami Vivekananda who stood for the idea of ‘Bharat’ His philosophy and values signify the ‘Strength of Bharat’ His philosophy and values signify the ‘Strength of Bharat’. It is only right that Jawaharlal Nehru University be renamed as Swami Vivekananda University. Life of Bharat’s patriotic saint will inspire generations to come.”

National BJP spokesperson Aparajita Sarangi said the demand “raised by C.T. Raviji is quite justified”. BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said there can be nothing better for India than naming a university after Vivekananda.

It needs mention here that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had virtually unveiled a statue of Swami Vivekananda at the campus of JNU four days ago. The Congress on Tuesday said the NDA government should create a new, bigger and better university in the name of Swami Vivekananda instead of renaming the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in the national capital.