Jaipur, February 3. Chief Minister Shri Ashok Gehlot said that for a healthy democracy, the media must be free, fair, strong and aware. He said today people talk that media is under pressure in the country, that should be a matter of concern for all of us. Dissent and criticism have an important place in a democracy and they should be accepted. Healthy criticism made by media in the public interest allows the governments to introspect and improve their working style, he said.

Shri Gehlot was addressing the foundation stone laying programme of Haridev Joshi University of Journalism and Mass Communication through a video conference from his official residence on Thursday. Around 1.24 lakh square metre land has been allotted at Dahmi Kalan on Ajmer Road for the State’s first journalism university and a project of Rs 328 crore has been prepared for the construction of the building.  

Shri Gehlot said, “During my last tenure, I had taken the initiative to set up Haridev Joshi University of Journalism and Mass Communication with a purpose to further strengthen the journalism work and Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Law University was also set up in the field of law. 

     Unfortunately both these universities were closed during the last government. With the present government coming to power, we established them by bringing an Act. He said that the governments keep on changing, but the decisions taken in the public interest should not be changed. 

The Chief Minister said, I am happy that one of my dreams is coming true today with the laying of the foundation stone of the building of Journalism University, he said. There will be no dearth of resources on the part of the State Government in developing this University as a leading national-level educational institution. He said that the media need to become strong for the better future of the country and in such a situation, the responsibility of this Journalism University increases further. 

The Chief Minister said that the articles written by journalists played significant role in giving boost to freedom struggle. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi Ji, freedom fighters such as Achleshwar Mama of Jodhpur and former Chief Ministers Jainarayan Vyas and Haridev Joshi helped in generating social consciousness. Keeping in view the role of journalists from Rajasthan who earned name at the national level, it was our dream to set up the State’s first University of Journalism and Mass Communication in the name of former Chief Minister Late Haridev Joshi. 

 The Chief Minister said, “It was my wish that journalists, social workers and intellectuals from the entire state should be present in this important function, but it was not possible due to corona, thus the foundation stone had to be laid virtually.” He said, “This varsity will be made as a leading university of the country with everyone’s cooperation and suggestions. I hope that journalists from this university will glorify the name of Rajasthan with their work in journalism field.”

Shri Gehlot said that Rs. 115 crore will be spent on the construction of this varsity’s building in the first phase. He was hopeful that the construction would be completed before the stipulated time of 18 months and the varsity currently functioning at the temporary building would shift to its own building. 

Public Works Department Minister Shri Bhajanlal Jatav said that it is clear that with the setting up of Haridev Joshi University of Journalism and Dr Ambedkar Law University that the Chief Minister has always kept his commitment on the top. The Public Works Department will complete the construction of this university at the earliest.

Minister of State for Higher Education Shri Rajendra Singh Yadav said that journalism will further prosper from this university. Students passing out from here will be able to do justice to society and their profession with full commitment along with their creative thinking. 

Haridev Joshi University of Journalism and Mass Communication Vice-Chancellor Shri Om Thanvi said that it is the result of Chief Minister Shri Ashok Gehlot’s determination that this university could be opened again. He said that the curriculum of this university is unique in many respects as it has subjects such as Morality, Human Rights and Gandhi Darshan. He also gave a presentation about the proposed building.  

Chief Secretary Smt Usha Sharma, Principal Secretary Finance Shri Akhil Arora, PWD Principal Secretary Shri Rajesh Yadav and Higher Education Secretary Shri Bhawani Singh Detha were present on this occasion.