Compact Between Gown and the Town

The proverb “Nearer the church, farther from God” implies that physical proximity to religious institutions does not necessarily ensure spiritual depth. A similar irony is observable in many universities across India: villages or localities situated near universities are often educationally and economically marginalized. These communities frequently suffer from poverty, illiteracy, and lack of opportunity. Paradoxically, the very land on which these institutions stand often belonged to the ancestors of the local inhabitants. Today, many of these natives are employed in the universities in low-ranking positions—working in canteens, as security personnel, or as sweepers and mess staff.

The relationship between the university (“gown”) and its surrounding community (“town”) should be close, collaborative, and mutually beneficial. Historically, communities have played significant roles in supporting higher education. For instance, in the early 18th century, the town of New Haven actively competed to host what would eventually become Yale University, even constructing a building to attract the institution.

A Troubling Indicator: 12th Grade Results in Haryana

Recent results from the Haryana School Education Board for the 12th grade have been alarming, prompting this reflection. Despite being a relatively advanced state, Haryana’s education system reveals a severe crisis in learning outcomes. Eighteen government schools recorded a zero-pass percentage this year, and eighty-two others had pass rates below 35%. In the Government Girls Higher Secondary School in Nuh, with a significant minority population, only one student passed. In Authra, all thirteen students failed. In Punhana, a boys’ senior secondary school reported that 95 out of 105 students failed.

The social ramifications are grave. In Mewat, girls who fail are often pressured into early marriages, while boys are pushed into low-wage, informal work to support their families. The opposition Party has criticized the state government, asserting that Haryana’s ambitions to be a key player in the National Capital Region (NCR) are hollow if its human capital—its students—remain neglected. While the government has issued its explanations, the issue demands broader introspection.

Haryana’s strategic significance—both as an emerging investment hub and an extension of the national capital—makes this educational crisis particularly concerning. The NCR region also hosts some of India’s top private universities. My visits to Jindal Global University revealed an institution comparable to the best in the world, with faculty and students from across the globe.

The University Landscape in Haryana

Haryana is home to approximately 30 public universities, including several central institutions, as well as prestigious private ones such as Jindal Global University, Ashoka University, Sharda, Shiv Nadar, Amity, and others. Recently, Chief Minister Nayab Singh offered land in Panchkula to establish the National Forensic Sciences University’s campus, expected to significantly benefit youth employment in the state.

Much of the land on which these institutions now stand once belonged to local farmers. Under the Haryana Private Universities Act of 2006, universities were initially required to reserve 25% of seats—with fee concessions between 25% and 100%—for local students. However, a 2009 amendment reduced this quota to 10% for universities with foreign collaborations, such as Ashoka and Jindal. As most institutions now pursue international partnerships, this local reservation provision is becoming obsolete.

Some villagers recount small, symbolic returns from the universities. For example, a farmer noted that the grass clippings discarded by Ashoka University’s gardeners became fodder for his buffaloes—a small but telling example of disconnection. In Sonipat, where Education City was developed, many farmers feel that their children lack the educational background to benefit from these high-cost, high-standard institutions. Their engagement with the universities is often limited to minor health services. One wonders: why haven’t these elite institutions invested in quality schools for local children? Free grass is poor compensation for the land they once owned.

Parallel Realities Elsewhere

This phenomenon is not unique to Haryana. In many parts of India, slums have emerged near university campuses. Shivaji Nagar in Faridabad, for instance, is home to around 10,000 people, many of whom were labourers involved in constructing nearby institutions.

My long association with the University of Kashmir reveals a similar story. Though based on observation rather than systematic study, it is evident that the surrounding areas—Sadrabal, Doobighat, Saidakadal, Teelbal, Old Habak, and Old Zakura—have remained largely disconnected from the university’s academic core. The faculty and staff residing there are predominantly migrants from other regions. Natives remain underrepresented in the university’s academic framework. During my student years, peers came from remote areas of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh, but very few locals from adjacent villages were visible on campus. I once spoke with Mr. Shamsudin, a respected elder from Sadrabal, who lamented that their parents once cultivated maize and rice where the university now stands, and yet their children cannot use its playgrounds.

Conclusion

Universities and research institutions are expected to be catalysts of transformation—not only within their walls but also in the lives of their neighbours. These institutions have a moral and civic responsibility to uplift surrounding communities. Building bridges between the university and the local population through health camps, educational outreach, cultural programs, and shared spaces can ensure that knowledge is not confined to lecture halls but also translates into practice. Only through genuine engagement can we transform the idea of the university from an isolated ivory tower into an inclusive, transformative space rooted in its local context.

 Professor Gull Wani is Kashmir based Political Scientist and Honorary Senior fellow centre for Multilevel Federalism, New Delhi