Lok Sabha takes up Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023 for consideration

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Why in news?
• The Legend of Sammakka and Sarakka
• News Summary: Lok Sabha takes up Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023 for consideration
• Background
• Key highlights 

Why in news?

• The Lok Sabha took up the Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023 for consideration and passing.
• The Bill seeks to establish a Central Tribal University in Telangana which will be named ‘Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University’.

The Legend of Sammakka and Sarakka

• About
  • Sammakka is said to have been married to Pagididda Raju, a feudal chief of the Kakatiyas(a Deccan dynasty) who ruled the Warangal area.
  • She had two daughters and one son - Sarakka/ Saralamma, Nagulamma and Jampanna, respectively.
  • In the 13th-century, in a battle against the local rulers in protest against the imposition of taxes, Saralamma died while Sammakka disappeared into the hills.
  • The local (Koya) tribals believed that she (Sammakka) metamorphosed into a vermillion casket.
• The Sammakka Saralamma Jatara:
  • Mulugu district of Telangana holds a biennial festival - the Sammakka Saralamma Jatara - often referred to as the Kumbh Mela of the tribals.
  • The event commemorates the battle of the mother-daughter duo against the imposition of taxes on the Koya people.
  • Over the period, the festival has assumed so much importance that it is believed that after Kumbh Mela.
    • The Tribal Festival is considered to be Asia’s largest tribal fair celebrated over four days every two years at Medaram village.
    • Considering the footfall of the festival, the Samakka-Sarakka Jatara was declared a state festival in 1996.
• Political and Cultural Significance of the Sammakka Saralamma Jatara:
  • The festival sees regular participation by the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs, as much as by the state government of Telangana, including CM.
  • The Centre released funds for establishing community shelters and other infrastructure.
  • The Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned Rs. 75.88 crore for the integrated development of a tribal circuit under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
    • This tribal circuit includes Mulugu - Laknavaram - Medavaram - Tadvai - Damaravi - Mallur - Bogatha Waterfalls where the temple of Sammakka-Sarakka is located.
  • Mulugu, a reserved Scheduled Tribes (ST) assembly seat, has a population of around 2.6 lakhs as per the 2011 Census, with a 75% ST population.
  • The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ramappa Temple is located about 15 km from Mulugu.

News Summary

• Lok Sabha took up a bill for the establishment of the Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University in Telangana.
• There are currently 56 Central Universities in the country and with the establishment of Tribal University in Telangana , the number will go up to 57.

Background

• This bill was taken up in pursuance of the commitments made in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.
• The 2014 Reorganisation Act led to the split of the erstwhile state of Andhra Pradesh into Telangana and the residuary Andhra Pradesh state.
• Under the Act, both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana would get support to establish a tribal university each.

Key highlights

• It amends the Central Universities Act, 2009
  • The Bill amends the Central Universities Act, 2009 which was enacted to establish and incorporate universities for teaching and research in various states.
• Name of the central tribal university
  • The university is named in honour of legendary mother-daughter duo Sammakka and Sarakka.
• Will cater to the regional aspirations
  • The establishment of Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University will cater to the regional aspirations for years to come.
  • It will provide avenues of higher education and research facilities primarily for the tribal population of India.

Q1) What is Kakatiya Dynasty?

The Kakatiya dynasty was a South Indian dynasty that ruled from the 12th to the 14th century. They ruled over a large part of the Deccan region, which included parts of present-day Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Odisha. The dynasty's capital was first located in Hanamkonda, but was later moved to Warangal.

Q2) What is Koya tribe?

The Koya are a tribal community in India. They are found in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha. They are also one of the major peasant tribes of Andhra Pradesh.

Source: Lok Sabha takes up Central Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2023 for consideration and passage| The Hindu | Money Control