Sunny Kumar, 32, a resident of Sonipat, Haryana, has witnessed significant changes in his hometown over the past decade as reputed universities such as Ashoka University, O.P. Jindal Global University, SRM University, and the Indian Institute of Technology have established campuses in this small town about 40 km north of New Delhi.
“These universities have hired a lot of people from the villages nearby,” he says. “They have boosted the local economy, but it is not all positive.”
“Take the issue of land, for instance,” says Kumar. “With these universities expanding rapidly, there is considerable demand for land. Whether it is through direct acquisition, or other methods, more land is being taken for campuses and related projects, leaving less for farming,”
“This changes everything for us,” adds Kumar, who hails from a farming family.
Kumar talked about his life as an alumnus of the BBA programme at IP University and how different it was from his brother Ashok's experience as an IBM alumnus of O.P. Jindal Global University. He thinks that state colleges cannot match the quality of education and diversity of perspectives offered by global institutions like Jindal and Ashoka.
With a resolute tone, Sunny remarked, "Change is inevitable, that much is true. But we must strike a delicate balance in preserving our agrarian heritage while embracing the winds of change blowing through our town.”
With every brick laid and book opened, Sonipat embraced a new identity- one of an educational hub with the energy of young minds and the expertise of scholars.
The making of an education city
The turning point in Sonipat’s journey came with the establishment of OP Jindal Global University (JGU) in 2009. The university was founded by industrialist and philanthropist Naveen Jindal and aimed to provide world-class education across various disciplines, ranging from law and business to humanities and social sciences. With its sprawling campus, state-of-the-art facilities, and renowned faculty, Jindal University quickly garnered attention as a beacon of academic excellence, attracting students from all corners of the country.
Following in its footsteps, Ashoka University emerged on the educational landscape of Sonipat in 2014. Founded to reimagine higher education in India, Ashoka University pioneered a model based on liberal arts and interdisciplinary learning. OP Jindal Global University and Ashoka University laid the foundation for Sonipat’s emergence as an educational hub.
The establishment of these prestigious institutions has had far-reaching implications for the local community of Sonipat. On one hand, it has driven economic development by creating job opportunities, stimulating entrepreneurship, and attracting investment in infrastructure through allied domains of accommodation, transportation, and hospitality. On the other, it has enriched the city’s cultural fabric by fostering diversity, promoting dialogue, and nurturing a spirit of intellectual curiosity.
During a discussion with Ashok, a JGU graduate with a degree from IBM, he recounts his upbringing in the rural landscape of Sonipat. He reminisces about his childhood, where the journey to school was marked by vast stretches of undeveloped land. Upon arriving at JGU, he initially observed the university's buildings surrounded by fields. However, he now finds it intriguing that these fields have been replaced by towering structures, reflecting on the transformation from open land to urban development.
He said, “These universities have served as catalysts for change, challenging traditional mindsets and promoting new values within the community. Through their emphasis on interdisciplinary learning and global perspectives, they have empowered students to become agents of positive change in an increasingly interconnected world.”
“During my time at JGU, we were given certain projects that required us to venture into Sonipat city, to connect with its people, understand their lifestyle, and confront their challenges firsthand. These projects served as a bridge between academic theory and real-world application, fostering a deeper understanding of the socio-dynamics at play within the community,” recounted Rajat Antil, a corporate employee and JGU alum.
He emphasized how the emergence of prestigious universities in the region has not only expanded educational opportunities but also inspired ambitions among locals, especially those from rural and village backgrounds, to pursue higher education for their children. However, he acknowledges the ongoing hurdles encountered by Sonipat residents attending these institutions. He discusses the stigma associated with being labeled as "small-town" or "provincial," which can negatively impact one's educational path, regardless of their accomplishments and credentials.
"In many ways," Antil continues, "the journey for students from Sonipat to these prestigious universities has been fraught with hurdles that go beyond academic rigor. The weight of societal expectations and preconceived notions about our origins can weigh heavily on our shoulders, often overshadowing our accomplishments.”
The land problem
The farmers who lived in the towns around Rajiv Gandhi Education City owned all 2,026 acres that made up the city. Around 2006, a project began to bring global-level higher education and study to rural Sonipat. This has changed the farmers' lives in often shocking ways. Since 2015, towns like Asawarpur and Sewli, which are close to Education City, have been connected to Sonipat's city services. The people are not sure how they feel about this because it has brought taxes like house tax along with better roads and sewage. The hospital at SRM University, which is also in Education City, is close to Patla village and offers cheap medical care (outpatient registration costs Rs 20).
The universities were founded under the Haryana Private Universities Act 2006, which mandates that they set aside 25% of their seats and provide price reductions ranging from 25% to 100% to students who are residents of Haryana. For colleges with worldwide partnerships, a 2009 revision lowered the requirement to 10%. (Both JGU and Ashoka have international partners).
Madan Lal, a prominent jeweler from the region, has raised serious concerns regarding the acquisition process, claiming that the government acted more like a property dealer than a fair arbitrator. Lal and his family were compelled to sell 18 acres of their ancestral land to the Haryana government for the establishment of the education city. However, he asserts that the compensation received was significantly lower than the market value, alleging that the government sold the acquired land at ten times the rate paid to the farmers.
"The original compensation rate of Rs 12.6 lakh per acre was a fraction of what the government earned by selling the land," Lal stated. There were protests and cases were filed, including in the Supreme Court, as the villagers fought for higher compensation. “If some of the land had to [be sold] to private parties, we could have sold it to them directly,” said Madan Lal.
Lal shared that his family had a special bond with their land, especially because there was a shrine they cherished and visited. For Lal, the land was more than just as a piece of property, but a part of their cultural and family heritage. The situation represents a case of how land acquisition is not just people's livelihoods but can also adversely affect their sense of identity and belonging.
With a furrowed brow and a frustrated, Madan Lal lamented the situation regarding the acquired land. "The purpose for which the land was acquired has not been completed," he exclaimed. "It irritates me," he continued, "because, in the first place, the land was acquired unwillingly. And now, to see it lying barren, untouched, and unutilized, it's simply unacceptable."
"The government acted like a bully in acquiring the land," he declared, his voice tinged with bitterness. "And now they are neglecting it, which only adds insult to injury." With a firm resolve, Madan Lal added another layer to his grievances. "Since the land was taken from the people of Haryana, a special reservation should be given to the children of all those whose land was taken," he insisted, his voice carrying the weight of years of injustice.
For Madan Lal, it was not about compensation or development but about ensuring that future generations don't suffer the same fate. "Our children deserve opportunities," he declared, with determination. "They shouldn't have to bear the burden of our sacrifices. They should be given a chance to thrive and succeed despite the challenges we've faced." Adding to his grievances, "Certain universities, despite reserving 25% of their seats for Haryana domicile, neglect students from Sonipat," he emphasized. In raising this issue, Madan Lal sought not only justice for his own family but also for countless others who faced similar hurdles. He demanded equal opportunities for all, irrespective of their background or the circumstances of land acquisition.
Politics in the mix
Kamal Hasija, a youth Congress leader from Sonipat, mentioned that it was the dream of the former Chief Minister of Haryana, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, to establish an Education City in Sonipat, named after Rajiv Gandhi. The initiative was to create Sonipat as an educational hub by attracting various global educational institutions.
“The land was acquired from farmers at a low price and sold to private parties at a higher rate due to government-led developments. These developments included the construction of roads, infrastructure, and sewage systems, substantially increasing the land's value,” explains Hasija.
Hasija further explained that the Congress had planned more developments to improve education and infrastructure in Sonipat. However, when the BJP government came into power, these plans were stopped, halting the progress started by the previous administration, and many universities that previously bought land later backed out from constructing their campuses in the education city, for example, Manav Rachna University, he claims.
"We had also ensured that 25% of the reservations and 10-25% of fee reductions were given to candidates with a Haryana domicile. However, when the BJP government came into power, they failed to ensure things were carried out in a systematic order," Hasija stated.
Responding to the allegations, Naveen Mangla, a prominent youth leader of the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) claims that if the Congress had remained in power after 2014, it would have continued to prioritize the elites over the welfare of the farmers.
"Had the BJP not come to power in Haryana in 2014, the Congress, through this project, would have continued to serve the elites by snatching and acquiring land from farmers at very low compensation rates and selling at higher rates to appease their party leaders in Delhi," he stated. He emphasized that the sincerity and trust of the farmers made them vulnerable to Congress's deceitful promises, leading to unfair land acquisitions.
In contrast, Mangla praised the BJP government for its fair policies, citing the establishment of the Maruti plant in Kharkhoda as a key example. "The setting up of the Maruti plant in Kharkhoda took place without any agitation by the local people of the community since the government bought lands from them at a justified compensation rate," he said.
However, Mangla acknowledged the dual impact of the institutions brought by the BJP government. While they have spurred modernization and educational advancement in the city, these changes have also led to increased living costs and alterations in the traditional lifestyles of the local people.
Sunil, a cab driver who regularly ferries students to and from Jindal and Ashoka Universities, has witnessed firsthand the significant changes these institutions have brought to Sonipat. "It's been a journey witnessing the rise of Jindal and Ashoka Universities. The arrival of students and faculty has injected vitality into our local economy," Sunil remarked. He noted that his cab services to these universities have flourished, providing him with a steady source of income.
"Sonipat's journey embodies the age-old struggle of communities navigating the currents of modernization and tradition, progress and preservation," he commented. As the town continues to evolve, Sunil believes the voices of its residents serve as a poignant reminder of the challenges and possibilities that lie ahead. "We must tread carefully and inclusively as we chart the path forward," he urged.
Anvi Jain is a final-year journalism student at JSJC