DU Hansraj College Cow Research Centre Controversy: Haven’t encroached on girls hostel land, says college
India Today
Left students’ organisations have alleged that DU's prestigious Hansraj College has allocated land identified for girls’ hostel for ac cow research centre that will conduct research on “gau-dhan” and also explore startup opportunities. The principal refuted these claims.
Hansraj College is considered one of the most prestigious colleges of Delhi University. The college is not only known for its academic excellence and high cut-offs for admissions but also for a vibrant cultural environment. However, this North Campus college is now in controversy due to its new cow research centre.
The college has opened a new research centre named Gau Samvardhan Evam Anusandhan Kendra. This cow research centre has only one cow right now and is placed inside the Hansraj College complex. It is now finding itself in the middle of the controversy.
The left-leaning students’ organisations have alleged that the Hansraj College administration has allocated the land identified for the construction of girls hostel to this research centre. However, the college administration is rejecting these claims.
Dr Rama, Principal of Hansraj College, confirmed India Today that they have started a cow research centre at their college.
She said that the research centre’s mandate would be to carry out research related to cows and their dairy products and also give an opportunity to the students to explore the chances of setting up start-ups around it. She refuted the reports terming the centre as a “cow protection centre”.
“It is not a cow protection centre. Had it been a cow protection centre then why would we keep only one cow? It has been named Swami Dayanand Gau Samvardhan Evam Anusandhan Kendra,” Dr Rama told India Today.
“We want to work around things related to the cow. We would explore options of setting up a gobar gas plantThis is a DAV institution, we hold havans every month. We might use the ghee from our centre instead of the options available in the market. Who knows this might trigger a start-up idea among our students," Dr Rama said.