New Delhi: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has demanded the Centre to name the Central University at Motihari after Mahatma Gandhi as the place has been "karambhoomi" of the father of the nation.
The Centre, which sanctioned two universities at Motihari and Gaya, has decided to name them as Central University North Bihar and Central University South Bihar respectively.
Kumar in a letter to HRD Minister Kapil Sibal yesterday said since Motihari has been "karambhoomi" (work place) of Mahatma Gandhi it would be proper to name the university after him".
He suggested the university be named either as "Mahatama Gandhi Central University" or "Bapu Central University".
The chief minister said he has no reservation against the name of the university at Gaya.
He urged Sibal to take a decision in this regard soon considering the sentiments of people who rever Motihari because of its connection with the Mahatma.
Gandhiji had launched satyagrah against British rule in Motihari, district headquarters of East Champaran, by organising agitation against forced cultivation of indigo in 1917.
The Centre recently agreed to sanction two Central Universities for Bihar with campus at Motihari and Gaya following persistent demand from Kumar.
It is only the second instance that two Central Universities have been approved for a state. Earlier, it had been done for Jammu and Kashmir.
PTI
