Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday accused the University Grants Commission (UGC) of creating ‘confusion’ by issuing guidelines to hold final term examinations in September and asked the body to promote students on the basis of their past performance.
He said it was ‘unfair’ to hold examinations in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic and sought their cancellation.
“COVID has affected everyone. Our students in schools, colleges, and universities have been struggling very much. IITs, colleges have cancelled the examinations and have promoted the students. The UGC is creating confusion. The UGC should also promote students based on past performances,” Mr. Gandhi said in a video message.
The message was part of the Congress’ online campaign #Speak Up for Students that was meant to highlight the issues faced by the students.
“It is extremely unfair to conduct exams during the Covid19 pandemic. UGC must hear the voice of the students and academics,” Mr. Gandhi had tweeted earlier while asking for cancellations of exams.
Students in limbo as UGC yet to decide on final year exams
NSUI claim
The Congress’ student wing, the National Students Union of India (NSUI), that piloted the online campaign claimed that it was the third highest trending topic, with over six lakh tweets under the hashtag Speak Up for Students until 8 p.m.
“The NSUI has collected student voices from all over the country expressing their genuine grievances, fears and demands from the government. There are two main demands: cancellation of all exams and promotion/graduation on the basis of past performance. And a fee waiver for six months in the light of the economic distress suffered by the 45% of the families during the lockdown/pandemic,” said Ruchi Gupta, Congress in-charge for NSUI.
Several senior party leaders including Ahmed Patel, Ambika Soni, Kumari Selja, Tarun Gogoi also took part in the campaign to press for exam cancellation and a partial fee waiver for students.