Dalit student harassed in BHU; got admission due to struggle and intervention of SC Commission, know what is the whole matter?

The university administration had forgotten to evaluate one of the student’s B.Com first semester papers, due to which his marksheet remained incomplete. After the SC Commission, the university took his admission.

Ankit Pachauri

New Delhi. A fresh case of caste discrimination against a Dalit student has come to light in Banaras Hindu University (BHU) of Uttar Pradesh, where a Dalit student of B.Com 2021-2024 batch became a victim of administrative negligence and injustice. Due to non-evaluation of one of the student’s papers by the university, his marksheet remained incomplete and his admission to M.Com was canceled. But with the intervention of the National Scheduled Caste Commission (NCSC), he finally got justice.

This incident is not only the story of a person’s struggle, but it is also the story of caste discrimination and administrative apathy, which still exists in the top universities of the country.

Student Nirbhaychand Ahirwar had successfully cleared all the semester exams in his UG studies (B.Com) and also cleared the CUET-PG exam. He wanted to take admission in M.Com. But he did not anticipate that the mistake of the university administration would put his future in danger. The university forgot to evaluate one of his papers of B.Com first semester, due to which his mark sheet remained incomplete. Due to this, he was not only suggested to repeat the year’s studies (yearback), but his M.Com admission was also cancelled on 18 July 2024.

This situation of the university shows a serious lapse, but what was even more serious was that the university officials, including the Vice Chancellor, Registrar and other responsible officials, did not pay any attention to his complaints. Despite letters, emails, and personal meetings, Nirbhay had to face constant evasion in resolving his problem.

Instead of giving up on this injustice, Nirbhay resorted to the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC). Speaking to The Mooknayak, Nirbhay said that he filed a petition with the Commission and Allahabad High Court on 28 July 2024, in which he put forward two main demands: first, his incomplete B.Com marks should be released, and second, his M.Com admission should be restored. He also demanded accountability of the university administration in this issue.

On 8 August 2024, the SC Commission issued a notice to the Vice Chancellor of BHU and took cognizance of the matter. The positive result of this intervention was that on 14 August 2024, Nirbhay’s marks were updated on the portal. However, despite this, the BHU administration did not take any concrete action on his MCom admission.

Despite receiving the mark sheet, Nirbhay filed a petition again with the SC Commission on 27 August 2024 after being denied admission. This petition was a symbol of the fact that even if students need judicial intervention to get their rights, their voice should be heard. After this, another notice was issued to the BHU administration and finally on 5 September 2024, he got admission in M.Com.

The role of the SC Commission was important in this case. If Nirbhay had not resorted to the commission, perhaps his case would have remained buried in the files of the university administration. The intervention of the SC Commission is a reminder of the constitutional protection that has been created for the Dalit and oppressed sections of the country. It ensures that the way is open to fight against any kind of discrimination.

Courtesy : Hindi News