Assam University in a spot over admissions

From our Special Correspondent

Silchar, July 30: Assam University has been in a spot over admissions, adopting a discrimitory policy towards the students of Cachar, Karimganj, Hailakandi, North Cachar Hills and Karbi Anglong which fall under its jurisdiction. In a memorandum submitted to the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Somth Dasgupta, and a sitting with him subsequently, All Cachar-Karimganj-Hailakandi Students’ Association (ACKHSA) leaders described the admission process in total violation of the clause 6 of Assam University Act, 1989. The Act specifically mentions about the jurisdiction of this seat of higher learning over the 5 districts.

 The leaders of the Association reminded the Vice-Chancellor of his wrong move to admit students during the last academic session into various MA Degree courses when results of three year degree course of this University were not even declared. The VC had to retract following memorandum of the Association. There was utter chaos for depriving the students of the five districts specified. The admission process was rectified and it was committed that such mistakes would not be repeated.

But, there was no change in the policy matter of the University and the mistakes of last academic session seem to be again repeated, violating the territorial jurisdiction. ACKHSA cautions that the student community is growing restive and are in mood re relent. The students are again being discrimited in admissions. If not corrected, the issue will snowball into a major crisis, forcing students to go for mass movement.

ACKHSA feels there is a conspiracy hatched by some vested interests to deprive the students of the five districts of their fundamental and legitimate right to pursue higher education. The leaders could not but blame the VC for his being insensitive towards the very tenets of Assam University Act, 1989. He is reminded that this University is the fruit of the long drawn agitation of the student community and people in general.

Gauhati University allots 2% seat each department for students from other universities. NEHU has 10% reservation for them. But, shockingly this University has reserved, it appears, cent percent seat for students from other universities, keeping rank holders of this University on the waiting list. It has been reiterated that it was against the discrimitory policy of the state government, Gauhati University and SEBA that the people of this valley had to fight for a Central University here.

ACKHSA cautions giving preference to students from other universities and depriving the qualified students of admission would be a step that would be regarded against the academic hopes and aspirations of this valley. The Association has put forward 7 point demands which include admission to all eligible students of this University, increasing the intake capacity, admission of rank holders on priority basis, 90% reservation for students of this University, reservation for SC/ST/OBC should be limited to students of 5 districts, 10% reservation for students of other areas and permanent solution to the admission tangle.

 Somth Dasgupta after going through the memorandum said to the delegation of ACKHSA that whatever demands are possible for him to accommodate within the statues of the University, he would consider them and evolve just solution. He would place them before the Academic Council and other competent bodies for discussion and resolution. Other demands would be taken up with the HRD Ministry, he pointed out. Those who formed part of the delegation of ACKHSA included Rupam ndi Purkayastha, advisor central committee, Biswajit Deb, convener, and 9 other members.