Student petitioners against UGC guidelines make video appeals to PM Modi

NEW DELHI: Desperate now, some of the 31 students who have moved Supreme Court against the University Grant Commission's guidelines on exams have recorded video appeals addressing prime minister Narendra Modi and human resource development minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank'.

In them, they explain their situations -- one is facing floods and COVID-19, another has been away from campus and books for four months, a third cannot apply for jobs. They all appeal to the ministers to intervene and cancel the final-year exams made mandatory by the UGC on July 6.

The Supreme Court accepted their petition on July 27. But on July 31, after a few hearings, the court scheduled the next hearing for August 10.

The petitioners had been demanding a stay on the final year examination. According to Alakh Alok Srivastava, the advocate of the petitioners, SC has directed the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to make its stand clear and has also asked state governments to file an affidavit.

However, the UGC remained firm on its stand, that exams have to be conducted by the end of September.

Upset by the further delay in decision, some of the 31 students recorded their appeals on video. Some of them shared their video appeals with Careers360.

Bhaswati | Shillong, Meghalaya

“I appeal to the Prime Minister and Education Minister to please direct the UGC to cancel the examination. I will not be able to give examination because of coronavirus pandemic and there is also a flood in my state. We are not able to apply for any job or anything because of this situation.”

Abhay Jadhav | Maharashtra

“For last four months, we are away from the college campus. We do not have the resources to study and the UGC is asking us to take exams. We have successfully completed seven semesters and even in the internals...Every semester is equally important."

Atikul Ahmed | Assam

“We have not attended any offline classes since March 20. However, the Assam government has announced that all schools and colleges will remain closed till August 31 due to flood and COVID.”

Also read:

• Opposing UGC Guidelines For Exams: Who are #StudentsInSCAgainstUGC?
• India Wide Parents Association to move Supreme Court against UGC
  

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