Mumbai: With only seven per cent seats for the open category, students who do not come from any special social, religious or caste background will have to struggle to secure a seat “Reservation should be eliminated,” claim students who wish to secure admissions to first year junior college (FYJC). Students claim there is no need for any kind of reservation, privilege or special treatment based on social or caste backgrounds.
‘Merit’ should be the only criterion for admissions to FYJC, according to students. Students who have completed Class 10 through any board and wish to secure admissions to FYJC are facing a tough time due to the reservation policy initiated by the state. With only seven per cent seats for the open category, students who do not come from any special social, religious or caste background will have to struggle to secure a seat. In addition, a mere 10 per cent of the seats are reserved for in-house admissions, while the remaining seats are reserved for Maratha students, economically weak sections (EWS), SC/ST/NT and the management quota.
Students are agitated over this new policy and have termed the whole reservation system as rudimentary and unjust. Rahul Diwan, a Maratha student, said, “I am from a lower caste of Marathas but I do not want to secure admission through the Maratha quota. My grandparents and parents have believed in the caste system but I am a young liberal enthusiast of the 21st century. If I do not believe in the caste system, why should I take advantage of my caste or social background for my education?”
There is no need to treat us differently or give us special privileges, say other students of the newly minted Socially and Economically Backward Classes (SEBC). Akshata Dalvi, a student, said, “Our parents earn a good remuneration and we have a decent social status now, despite coming from a backward class of Marathas. We do not need any special treatment from the state when it comes to education. Many of us are misusing these privileges to get to the top of our careers. But this is not fair to those students who are studying and working hard to make a career under the open category.”
“Why are admissions not done on merit?,” question agitated students. Shrikant Tawde, a student, said, “If education is all about scoring marks in examinations, then why are admissions not done on the basis of merit? FYJC is the base level of higher education and even at this level, there are so many reservations. The state should not favour anybody and should stay true to its claim of treating students equally when it comes to academics. Reservation should be eliminated completely.”
