Tripura BJP MLA seeks Women's College in Nalchar Constituency to prevent 'love-jihad'

By  Firstdespatch Desk   Jul 08, 2023

Agartala, July 08 (FD) BJP MLA Kishore Barman has appealed to Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha to establish a women's college in Nalchar assembly constituency, citing concerns over "love jihad."

Barman said that the nearest college to the constituency, located in Sonamura subdivision, makes parents hesitant to send their daughters there due to the increasing cases of "love jihad." Economic viability is also a concern for middle- and lower-middle-class families, as other colleges are located far away.

Barman said that the academic achievements of girls in his constituency and their underrepresentation in higher education are due to early marriages resulting from financial constraints. He proposed that an all-women's college in Nalchar would provide opportunities for girls in the constituency and neighbouring areas to excel in education.

In response, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha stated that there is currently only one dedicated girls' college in Agartala and no plans to establish additional such colleges in other parts of the state.

Dr. Saha said that the availability of undergraduate courses in nearby colleges such as Kabir Nazrul College in Sonamura and Rabindranath Thakur College in Bishalgarh, which reportedly attract a considerable number of students from Nalchar,

Another MLA from Rajnagar also expressed the need for a similar educational institution in her constituency. Tripura currently has 22 government degree colleges, with most falling under the direct control of Tripura University.

The demand for a women's college in Nalchar reflects concerns about girls' education and the perceived threat of "love jihad" in the region. The topic remains contentious, and further discussions and actions are anticipated on this matter. FD SB