Khurshid defends Ramesh's criticism of IITs, IIMs

New Delhi: Water Resources and Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid Wednesday defended Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh over his remarks on the poor quality of research and faculty at India's top technical and business schools.

"The academic atmosphere in which free exchanges take place is different from formal official announcements that are made by ministers in their capacity. I think we should not discourage informal academic exchange of views, whatever those views may be," Khurshid told reporters here.

He was asked whether Ramesh's remarks violated ministerial responsibility and if the central government endorsed his views.

Ramesh had, on the sidelines of a function here Monday, said there was hardly any worthwhile research done at Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) or at the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and had blamed the faculty for the poor quality of work being done by these institutions.

"There is hardly any worthwhile research from our IITs. The faculty in the IIT is not world-class. It is the students in IITs who are world-class. So the IITs and IIMs are excellent because of the quality of students not because of quality of research or faculty," Ramesh, who is an alumnus of IIT-Mumbai from where he did his Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering in 1975, had said.

His comments evoked sharp reactions from both the academia and alumni of IITs and IIMs, some in his favour and others against.

However, Khurshid felt ministers should not create controversies, but noted there was no point for "debate or conflict" on the issue.

"I do not think we are free to trigger controversies. Ministers know what they have to say. But academic freedom in an academic institution is different from what you say in press conferences," he said.

Pointing out to the views expressed by Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal on the issues raised by Ramesh, Khurshid said he supported it.

Kapil Sibal had Tuesday said Ramesh has an opinion on IITs and IIMs and he should be allowed to have it.

"I support the HRD minister's views that if somebody has familiar knowledge of an institution and he expresses his views, we should be enriched by those views. I do not think this is a point for debate or conflict," Khurshid said.

Congress distanced itself from Ramesh's remarks and lauded the institutions' contribution to Indian academics, saying it was not necessary for everyone to speak on every subject.

Party spokesperson Manish Tewari Tuesday said that he was not aware of the context in which Ramesh had made his comments and whether it was quoted in context or out of context.

"But so far as IIMs and IITs are concerned, there is no question or ambiguity about their contribution to Indian academics and even to building some of the prime institutions around the world," Tewari had said.

                                           Home | Top of the Page

Top Stories

War of words over Jairam Ramesh slamming IITs, IIMs

Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh's comment on IITs and IIMs not having world-class faculty led to a debate Tuesday among political parties, academicians and students.  »

Is even one of our institutions world class, asks Sibal

IIT, IIM faculty is not world-class, says Jairam Ramesh

  Most Read

More voices of dissent against the Wakf Amendment Bill

After Jamiatul Ulema Hind and All India Muslim Personal Board, one more prominent Muslim outfit  »

Opposition building against the proposed Waqf Development Authority

India announces $5 bn aid for Africa, seeks support for UN reforms

Taking its burgeoning ties with Africa to a new high, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday announced a massive $5 billion aid for the next three years and an additional $700 million for setting up new institutions and training programmes   »

For India, it's time for Africa

  News Pick

India to set up new agency to trace black money: Pranab

India will soon set up a directorate of criminal investigation in its income tax department to deal with issues related to tax  »

'Muslim quota in govt jobs subject to SC verdict'

The Andhra Pradesh government today announced that extension of reservations for Muslims in government jobs and education will depend on the outcome of a writ petition in the Supreme Court even as it extended  »

Israeli wants to name himself after 10 British kings

Israel's Population and Immigration Authority has received an odd request from a man who asked to change his name to those of 10 British kings who he admired. The names chosen by the unnamed man are - Henry, William, Phillip  »

Goa's medium of instruction issue takes communal turn

Goa's already vexed medium of instruction issue has now taken a communal turn. A spokesperson for the Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch (BBSM), which is backing regional languages as the sole medium of instruction  »

Cradle in every village - to save the girl child

If someone casts her away, there will be others to cradle her. By October this year, cradles will be  »

Even rich, educated abort second girl child, shows study

Picture of the Day

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov witnessing the signing of agreements between two countries, in New Delhi on May 18, 2011.

(Photo: BM Meena)