Pune: Protest Against State Government’s Equal Policy by Dalit, Adivasi, and Bahujan Students at BARTI

The protesters, including competitive exam aspirants and PhD researchers, argued that the policy is unjust and discriminatory. Student organizations like the National Students Congress, Sanyukta Vidyarthi Andolan, Bhim Army Student Federation, and the University Students Sangharsh Action Committee actively participated in the protest.

Organizations advocating Shiv-Phule-Shahu-Ambedkar ideologies gathered at the BARTI office in Pune to protest against the state government’s equal policy implemented on October 30, 2023. The protest highlighted issues faced by Dalit, Adivasi, and Bahujan students due to the policy, which applies a uniform framework to institutions such as BARTI, Sarathi, and Mahajyoti, disregarding the unique needs of students belonging to the backward class.

The protesters, including competitive exam aspirants and PhD researchers, argued that the policy is unjust and discriminatory. Student organizations like the National Students Congress, Sanyukta Vidyarthi Andolan, Bhim Army Student Federation, and the University Students Sangharsh Action Committee actively participated in the protest.

No official addressed students

Rahul Sasane, President of University Students Sangharsh Kruti Samiti, speaking to Free Press Journal, said, “Despite prior notification about the protest, no responsible officials from BARTI were present to address the students. The uniform policy undermines the progress of Dalit and Adivasi students. If the issues remain unresolved, larger and more extensive protests will follow.”

Akshay Kamble, President of National Students Union of India, expressed, “BARTI is deliberately creating difficulties for students preparing for competitive exams and PhD researchers. The institution’s actions are anti-student, and we demand an immediate revocation of the uniform policy.”

Janhvi Shelar, General Secretary of Samyak Vidyarthi Andolan, Pune City, highlighted, “According to Article 46 of the Constitution, the Scheduled Castes must be protected from social discrimination and their development in the educational field must be ensured. Under this provision, BARTI (Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Research and Training Institute) was established.

Applying the same policies to Scheduled Caste students as those for students of other castes is a violation of the Constitution. This reflects the casteist mindset of the Director General, and for the welfare of the students, their suspension is necessary.”

What do the students say?

The syllabus and examination pattern of exams like Police Recruitment, Banking, Group B, Group C, and SSC are entirely different. Therefore, students who have undergone training for these exams should not be considered as beneficiaries of duplicate benefits and excluded from opportunities. Similarly, students trained for MPSC should not be denied the opportunity for UPSC training.

The right of UPSC students to select their preferred institute was taken away, and alternative institutes were assigned by BARTI. This should be rectified, and students should be allowed to join the institute of their choice.

Many students from rural areas have come to Pune relying on BARTI for their preparation. Financial assistance in the form of scholarships should be extended until March for these students.

Due to BARTI’s negligence, scholarships for two months have been pending for students on the waiting list. These pending scholarships should be disbursed immediately.

Institutions like Shubhra Ranjan IAS and Next IAS misused the names of government bodies like BARTI, Sarathi, and Mahajyoti during the election period to lure students with promises of tablets (computers), which violates the model code of conduct. Hence, contracts with such institutions should be terminated. Additionally, institutions that have submitted false or forged documents should also be blacklisted.

Courtesy: Free Press Journal

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