HC seeks Jamia stand after plea over OBC admissions in residential coaching academy

NEW DELHI : The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought the stand of Jamia Millia Islamia on a PIL over admissions of OBC (non-creamy layer) students in its residential coaching academy meant for civil services aspirants. A bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela issued notice to Jamia Millia Islamia and University Grants Commission (UGC) on the PIL by Satyam Singh, a law graduate.

Referring to the UGC guidelines, Singh said Jamia couldn't restrict free coaching only to female students and those from SC/ST and minority communities as it was under the obligation to extend the benefit to both OBC (non-creamy layer) and economically weaker sections (EWS). When the court pointed out there was no provision in the UGC guidelines for EWS category, the petitioner restricted his relief only to OBC (non-creamy layer). The court however asked the petitioner to inform if a university established by a statute was bound to follow the UGC mandate and said, "Issue notice to the respondents."

The court had questioned the petitioner on the "right" to seek admission in the coaching academy as an OBC (non-creamy layer) candidate. "You are virtually asking us to reframe a policy. Admission is not to regular courses but coaching centre. It is for authorities to provide for reservation. You are asking us to create a right," it said.

In the petition filed through advocates Akash Vajpai, Ayush Saxsena Puru Mudgal, the petitioner said UGC gave financial support to four central universities, including JMI, and therefore it was under an obligation not to discriminate among the underprivileged students. The petition said the current admission policy for the residential coaching academy was arbitrary and discriminatory as it left out a category of students who deserved admissions.

"The objective of the residential coaching academy is to provide equal opportunities to all sections of society for equitable growth by providing coaching programme to the underprivileged students, with hostel facilities on paying nominal fee for entry into central/state government jobs but surprisingly OBC (non-creamy layer) and EWS students to whom even UPSC provides 25% and 10% reservation in the examination because of their limited financial resources, have been excluded," the PIL said. The matter would be heard next on February 12.