Bhopal: Barkatullah University’s Executive Council has sparked a fresh controversy after granting affiliation to a set of colleges that an inquiry committee previously flagged for glaring deficiencies in faculty and infrastructure.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from students and faculty, who say the decision places future careers at risk and undermines academic standards.
The inquiry committee’s report, compiled after inspections earlier this year, documented multiple shortfalls across the institutions under review. Inspectors cited insufficient numbers of qualified faculty, inadequate laboratory and library facilities, and failure to meet prescribed infrastructure norms.
Despite these findings, the executive council approved affiliation for the colleges in a recent session, according to sources familiar with the meeting.
Students and teachers reacted angrily to the council’s endorsement. “If we join these colleges, what will happen to our degrees and job prospects?” asked one student who sought anonymity.
Faculty members warned that affiliating under-resourced colleges could erode the university’s reputation and compromise the quality of education delivered to thousands of students. Several staffers said they planned to petition the university administration and approach regulatory bodies to seek review of the decision.
University officials defended the council’s action, saying that affiliation decisions often involve multiple considerations, including the potential for institutions to upgrade facilities within a stipulated timeframe. “Affiliation is not an irreversible step,” said a senior university representative. “We have mechanisms for conditional approval and follow-up inspections to ensure compliance with standards.” The official declined to comment on the specific committee report.
Education experts say such disputes reflect broader systemic problems in higher education governance, where administrative discretion can clash with regulatory oversight. “Granting affiliation to colleges that do not meet essential criteria undermines student welfare and public confidence in higher education,” said an independent academic analyst. “There must be transparent timelines and stringent monitoring to protect students.”
BU authorities refused to comment when they were contacted.
Student bodies have announced plans for protests and legal action if the affiliations are not revoked or made conditional with strict enforcement. The controversy raises pressing questions about accountability at Barkatullah University and the safeguards in place to ensure that affiliation translates into real, quality education rather than a paper formality.
