Displaying Army tank will highlight association with defence institutes: JNU VC

Citing the example of the National Defence Academy (NDA) where cadets from Army, Navy and Air Force are allotted degrees by the Jawahar Lal Nehru University only, Vice Chancellor (VC) Jagdish Kumar on Monday asserted that displaying an Army tank in the campus will only show their closer association with the defence institutes in this country.

Speaking to ANI here, Kumar said, "The National Defence Academy where cadets from Army, Navy and Air Force are trained and their degrees are given by us. So, every candidate who passes out of these institutes is alumni of JNU. So, if we have a decommissioned tank, for example, in our varsity then it will only show our stronger and closer association with the defence institutes in this country."

The JNU Vice Chancellor further added that it will also be a reminder to the students of the great sacrifices the army and defence forces made for the safety of every Indian in this country.

Kumar on Sunday called on Minister of State for External Affairs General V.K. Singh to help the University procure a tank.

However, Samajwadi and CPI(M) criticised JNU VC's decision to keep Army tank in campus saying that it was strange to have people of such mentality.

Agarwal told ANI, "It's strange to have people of such mentality. How would Army's tank be an inspiration?"

CPI (M) leader D Raja said that the JNU VC should be instead demanding the instillation of the renowned mathematician Aryabhatta, as it would convey some message.

D Raja said, "I don't know what he thinks of JNU. It is the country's number one institution. It is not the army's station. He should demand the installation the renowned mathematician Aryabhatta's statue. It would at least convey some message."

On the occasion of 18th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, JNU organised a programme to commemorate India's glorious victory and to pay homage to the Indian Army and the Kargil martyrs.