After BHU, Lucknow University accused of promoting BJP

After a controversy in Banaras Hindu University (BHU), a similar question paper row surfaced at the Lucknow University when BCom Final year students were asked to answer questions related to different schemes of the Modi government in Indian Economic Structure question paper of Applied Economics.

The question paper was set by Prof VK Goswami, who is believed to be close to the ruling party. About 10,000 students of BCom, who appeared in the Final year exams on March 17, were asked questions on central schemes like Digital India, Start-Up India, Pradhanmantri Jan Dhan Yojana and Deendayal Updhyayaya Gram Jyoti Yojana. All these questions were marked compulsory. Members of All-India Students' Association (AISA) and the National Students' Union of India have objected to the questions.

"How can a Professor, owing allegiance to the BJP, be allowed to set the question paper to promote and propagate schemes and policies of Modi government only. Why question paper did not include questions relating to schemes of previous regimes," asked an NSUI activist.

Lucknow University Vice-Chancellor SP Singh and faculty defended the questions saying there is nothing wrong in it.

"The Applied Economics deals with the economic structure and students are usually asked questions relating to new schemes of the current government," said the V-C to the media queries.

Those who wrote the paper are divided on the issue. While one set said they were out of syllabus, another said the schemes were discussed during interactive sessions in regular classes.

‘NOTHING WRONG’

• University Vice-Chancellor SP Singh said there is nothing wrong in asking questions on central schemes.
   
• “The subject deals with economic structure and students are usually asked such questions,” he said