Yogi founded university promotes peace and tolerance

Yogi Adityanath is known for his Hindutva politics and the wave of violence after he assumed office as chief minister of Uttar Pradesh state in India - little known is the college he set up in his home district of Pauri in 1999 that was added to the list of government-aided school after BJP came to power in Uttarakhand, the Times of India reports.

The Mahayogi Gurugorakhnath Degree College in Bithyani in Yamkeshwar stands as a symbol of "fairness, tolerance and humanity", according to principal Aftab Ahmad.



Lounging in his office with walls covered by photos of freedom fighters and Hindu Gods, Ahmad says the "beauty of the college is that it is free from discrimination based on caste, religion or colour. It is as pure as the environment of the hills."

Hailing from Dehradun, Ahmad was appointed as the head of the college in 2014. He says the institute, with 150 students, mostly girls, was affiliated with HNB Garhwal University in 2005 and employs NET-qualified teacher from across the country. With one library and 10 classrooms, tt is the only degree college in the district.

"The idea here is to give the best of education to these young minds and promote values of humanity and tolerance," Ahmad tells TOI. 

"Whatever the personal ideology of the UP CM may be, it does not affect this institution. The purpose here is to impart education. The place has always been free from communal tensions or any kind of discrimination," added Mukesh Tyagi, a history teacher at the university.



Speaking to the newspaper, the administrator of the institute and Yogi's younger brother, Mahender Singh Bisht also asserts the college's no discrimination policy. "The college is not furthering any ideology. It is run by a Muslim principal who is the first one to participate in Holi with me each year and lights the earthen lamp on auspicious occasions."

"We plan to start post-graduation courses in Arts," said Bisht.

The administration hopes government-aided status will help in boosting infrastructure.

"The college is a boon for students from economically weaker sections who cannot afford to go to Kotdwar or Rishikesh for studies," said Sarita Kumari, a second-year student. "The college is a boon for students from economically weaker sections who cannot afford to go to Kotdwar or Rishikesh for studies."

The students are looking forward to improvements in the facilities and more female staff.