Udaipur: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed concern on Friday about the increasing involvement of highly educated individuals in anti-social and anti-national activities, terming it "white-collar terrorism". Speaking at the 104th foundation day event of Bhupal Nobles' University in Udaipur, Singh highlighted the necessity of incorporating morality, ethics, and character development into education, alongside professional success.
Singh pointed to the November 10 car bomb blast near the Red Fort in Delhi, where the perpetrators were identified as doctors, as a stark example of this disturbing trend. He stated that the incident, in which an explosives-laden car driven by Dr. Umar-un-Nabi resulted in 15 fatalities, exposed a "white-collar" terror module. Investigations led to the arrest of several other doctors, including Muzammil Ganai, Adeel Rather, and Shaheena Saeed. Singh emphasized the need for knowledge to be paired with values and character, stating that the purpose of education extends beyond professional achievements to encompass the development of morality, ethics, and human character.
Clarifying his use of the term 'dharma', Singh explained that he was not referring to religious practices like visiting temples, mosques, or churches, but rather to a sense of duty and responsibility. He argued that education devoid of morality and a sense of duty could be detrimental to society, potentially leading educated individuals to engage in criminal activities. He stressed that an education system is incomplete if it fails to impart humility, character, and 'dharma' alongside knowledge.
Singh also emphasized the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to address contemporary challenges such as environmental crises, public health threats, and digital ethics. He urged universities to encourage research that yields practical, solution-driven outcomes. He also touched upon India's economic growth, noting its position as the world's fourth-largest economy and its trajectory to become the third-largest by 2030, underlining the significant role of universities in this progress.
Furthermore, Singh advised students to maintain a balance between self-respect and ego, cautioning against allowing self-respect to turn into arrogance. He encouraged them to have a broad-minded approach, stating that a larger heart leads to greater happiness. He expressed confidence in India's defense startups and anticipated that the country would achieve complete self-reliance in weapons within the next 15-20 years. He also noted the transformative impact of technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning and stressed their positive use in driving India's development.
