GUWAHATI: Former chief minister Tarun Gogoi has criticized the state government for "eroding" the identity of
Cotton College
by turning it into a university.
Seeking a review of the decision, Gogoi said, "It is very unfortunate to see how the identity of Cotton College, a Centre of Excellence, has been diminished. This was the only college in the entire region with such a glorious past. This college has contributed immensely in all aspects of the state."
Cotton College is one of the oldest and most prestigious educational institutes in the eastern India set up in 1901 by then Assam province chief commissioner Sir Henry Cotton.
"Let the university be a separate institute to focus on the higher education and research-related programmes like we did. There is no point of merging with more unnecessary burden on the university. I want it to be reviewed," he added.
The
Cotton College State University
(CCSU) was created through an Act of the Government of Assam (Act XIX of 2011) with Cotton College as a constituent College of this new university.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has identified it as a 'college with potential for excellence' in 2005. The UGC has also identified the college as a 'special heritage college' under the scheme of 'special heritage status to colleges' in 2015.
The decision of the state government has been opposed by many, including many of its present and former students.
Sitanath Lahkar, a former principal of the college, said, "A historic day, of course of anguish and sadness. Cotton College, which has produced innumerable talents, breathed its last on May 31."
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