Any political motive to merge Ranade Institute of Journalism will be thwarted, says Minister

Uday Samant to visit the Institute to discuss matter with protesting student outfits

With Pune’s student fraternity up in arms against the proposed merger of the iconic Ranade Institute of Journalism with the Pune University’s Media and Communication Department, Minister of Higher and Technical Education Uday Samant on Thursday said the government would thwart any political ploy behind the move while assuring that he would visit the city over the weekend to review the matter. “This institute is a vital resource for journalists and has a rich history. News has been published in a number of media outlets to the effect that it would be relocated to the Pune University premises [merger with Pune varsity’s communications department]. A number of student outfits have urged me to visit the Ranade Institute…I will accordingly be visiting it on August 14 to hear their problems. If this merger is a political ploy, then it will be quashed,” said Mr. Samant. The Minister, who belongs to the ruling Shiv Sena, earlier tweeted saying its Yuvasena had demanded the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) not relocate the institute.