Patriotism by rote? Varsities asked to put up soldiers' portraits

Universities and educational institutions across the country will soon have a "wall of heroes", depicting portraits of soldiers who showed extraordinary courage in defending the nation. 

The Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) is launching a "Vidya, Veerta Abhiyan" tomorrow to encourage varsities to display portraits of Param Veer Chakra-decorated soldiers.

"HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar will tomorrow launch portraits of Param Veer Chakra decorated soldiers at an event, and these portraits will be put up in various educational institutions," a senior HRD official said. 

"To begin with, Vice Chancellors from JNU, DU, Jamia Milia Islamia and IIT Delhi, among others, will receive the portraits from him 

"Further, a campaign is being launched to have a 'Wall of Heroes' in various educational institutions depicting the portraits of warriors decorated with Param Veer Chakra for showing extraordinary courage and bravery to defend the motherland," he added. 

The idea of having a wall of martyrs in universities was first proposed by a group of ex-servicemen who had last year approached JNU Vice-Chancellor M Jagadish Kumar, saying portraits of martyrs and tanks used in wars should be put on display in the campus to instill a sense of "nationalism" and "patriotism" among the students. 

The demand came amid a raging debate on nationalism following a sedition row on campus over an event during which anti-national slogans were allegedly raised.

• India
• Indian Universities
• Indian Soldiers