The West Bengal government has refused to observe Rashtriya Ekta Diwas on October 31, the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in colleges and universities, alleging that the Central government is trying to politicise the occasion.
This came in response to the recently issued circular by the University Grants Commission (UGC) asking all teachers and students to observe the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas in colleges and universities.
State education minister Partha Chatterjee, has told a television channel that the UGC was trying to impose its decision on the state government without consulting them of any such plan earlier.
