BJP using UGC to politicise surgical strikes: CPI's D Raja

CPI leader D Raja Friday slammed the University Grants Commission's communication on observing "Surgical strike day" and accused the BJP of "politicising" the Army action.

Referring to the UGC's communication to the universities to observe September 29 as "Surgical strike day", he also mocked at the BJP for teaching 'patriotism'.

"UGC has the mandate to oversee educational functions, but BJP is using the institution as an instrument to politicise surgical strikes, which is an act of Indian Army," Raja told PTI.

The UGC Thursday directed varsities and higher educational institutions to observe September 29 as "Surgical strike day", the second anniversary of surgical strikes on terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Talk-sessions on sacrifices of armed forces, special parades, sending greeting cards to pledge their support for armed forces were among activities suggested by it.

As the UGC communication triggered a political row, the Centre Friday asserted it only reflected patriotism and not politics.

"It is ironical that BJP and RSS, who do not have role in the country's freedom movement, are teaching nationalism and patriotism," Raja said.

On September 29, 2016, the Indian Army carried out "surgical strikes" on seven terrorist launch pads across the Line of Control(LoC) as a response to an attack on its base in Uri earlier that month.