Today, On 22nd January, The Delhi High Court sought Jamia Millia Islamia’s stand on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) demanding the inclusion of OBC students in its Residential Coaching Academy. The PIL highlights the lack of representation for OBC candidates in the academy’s programs. The court’s direction aims to address concerns of equitable access and ensure compliance with reservation policies. Jamia has been given time to file its response.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday requested the position of Jamia Millia Islamia regarding a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the admission of OBC students to its residential coaching academy for civil services aspirants.
A bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela issued a notice to both Jamia Millia Islamia and the University Grants Commission (UGC) in response to the PIL filed by Satyam Singh, a law graduate.
Singh referenced UGC guidelines, arguing that Jamia could not limit free coaching solely to female students and those from SC/ST and minority communities, as it is required to extend benefits to OBC and economically weaker sections as well. When the court noted the absence of provisions for the EWS category in the UGC guidelines, the petitioner narrowed his request to focus only on OBC admissions.
The court then inquired whether a university established by statute is obliged to adhere to UGC directives, stating, “Issue notice to the respondents.”
The court also questioned the petitioner about the “right” to seek admission to the coaching academy as an OBC candidate.
The court remarked,
“You are virtually asking us to reframe a policy. Admission is not for regular courses but for a coaching center. It is up to the authorities to provide for reservations. You are asking us to create a right,”
In the petition, filed through advocates Akash Vajpai, Ayush Saxsena, and Puru Mudgal, the petitioner contended that the UGC provides financial support to four Central universities, including Jamia, thereby obligating it not to discriminate against underprivileged students.
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The petition argued that the current admission policy for the residential coaching academy is arbitrary and discriminatory, as it excludes a category of students who deserve admission.
The PIL stated,
“The objective of the residential coaching academy is to offer equal opportunities to all segments of society for equitable growth by providing coaching programs to underprivileged students, along with hostel facilities for a nominal fee to facilitate entry into central/state government jobs. However, OBC and EWS students, who are granted 25% and 10% reservation in the UPSC examinations due to their limited financial resources, have been excluded,”
The next hearing of the matter is scheduled for February 12.