High Court Directs Jamia Millia Islamia To Consider Petition On Inclusive Enrollment In Coaching Program

High Court gives order to Jamia Millia Islamia

The High Court has urged Jamia Millia Islamia to address a petition, presented as a representation, regarding the inclusion of students from OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) categories in its Residential Coaching Academy (RCA). The petitioner highlighted that while the RCA offers free coaching for civil services aspirants, it only selects women and members of minority or Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities, thereby excluding other deprived categories.

In response to the petition filed directly with the court by law student Satyam Singh, the bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan Singh and Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora emphasized the need for prior representation before the court’s intervention. However, they directed Jamia Millia Islamia to treat the petition as a representation and make a decision within four weeks in accordance with the law. Subsequently, the bench disposed of the related petition.

During the hearing, the bench expressed oral remarks underscoring the backwardness of individuals from the OBC and EWS categories, asserting their entitlement to free coaching benefits. The court stressed that Jamia should extend coaching facilities to these groups, considering them as backward as well. Petitioner’s counsels, Sanjay Poddar and Akash Vajpayee, argued that the current admission policy of the RCA is arbitrary and discriminates against OBC and EWS students, who possess limited financial resources and are equally deserving of free coaching for the Civil Services Examination.

The court’s directive emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and equal opportunities in educational programs, particularly those aimed at empowering marginalized sections of society. By urging Jamia Millia Islamia to reevaluate its enrollment policies, the High Court seeks to ensure fair access to educational opportunities for all aspiring civil servants, irrespective of their socio-economic backgrounds.

As the university considers the petition as a representation and deliberates on its decision within the stipulated timeframe, the outcome holds significance for the future of inclusive education and social justice initiatives in India.

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Srishti Verma