Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Splits RGPV, Drops Rajiv Gandhi Name
The Madhya Pradesh government decided to split one technology university into three universities.
The original university was named after former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
The three new universities will be located in Bhopal, Ujjain and Jabalpur.
Government officials said the change is meant to improve access to technical education in different parts of the state.
Congress leader Jitu Patwari disagreed with removing Rajiv Gandhi’s name.
He said the decision showed hatred and political thinking.
Patwari asked Chief Minister Mohan Yadav to stop the change.
He also warned that the government would face consequences if it continued.
The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet decided to remove Rajiv Gandhi’s name from Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya (RGPV).
RGPV will be divided into three universities based in Bhopal, Ujjain and Jabalpur.
Congress state president Jitu Patwari called the decision “politics of hatred” and warned the government of consequences.
Patwari said Congress would respect an institution named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
The new universities will be named Madhya Bharat Prodyogiki Avam Kaushal Vishwavidyalaya, Malwa Prodyogiki Vishwavidyalaya and Mahakaushal Prodyogiki Vishwavidyalaya.
- Who
- The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet approved the change; Congress state president Jitu Patwari criticised it and addressed Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
- What
- Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya will be divided into three universities, and Rajiv Gandhi’s name will be removed.
- When
- The Cabinet decision was reported as having been made on Tuesday; related Congress statements were posted on September 2, 2026.
- Where
- The universities will be based in Bhopal, Ujjain and Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.
- Why
- The government said the division would improve access to technical education across different regions of Madhya Pradesh; Congress attributed the name change to political hostility.
Congress criticism
Government rationale
Removing Rajiv Gandhi’s name
Congress criticism
Jitu Patwari said Rajiv Gandhi had made contributions and that removing his name reflected hatred and narrow political thinking.
Government rationale
The Cabinet approved new names for the three universities after dividing RGPV; the article states the stated purpose was to improve regional access to technical education.
Priorities of the state government
Congress criticism
Patwari argued that the government should demonstrate improvements through its work rather than focus on changing names.
Government rationale
The government’s restructuring is presented as an effort to improve access to technical education for students in different regions.
Political naming of institutions
Congress criticism
Patwari said Congress would respect an institution named after Atal Bihari Vajpayee and argued that Rajiv Gandhi’s legacy should also be respected.
Government rationale
The Cabinet selected separate regional names for the Bhopal, Ujjain and Jabalpur universities.
- Original institution
- Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya (RGPV)
- Number of new universities
- Three
- Bhopal university
- Madhya Bharat Prodyogiki Avam Kaushal Vishwavidyalaya
- Ujjain university
- Malwa Prodyogiki Vishwavidyalaya
- Jabalpur university
- Mahakaushal Prodyogiki Vishwavidyalaya
- Government rationale
- To improve access to technical education across different regions of Madhya Pradesh
- Congress response
- Jitu Patwari called the move politics of hatred and asked the Chief Minister to cancel it