SC exam verdict earns bouquets and brickbats

Nagpur: Much-awaited verdict of Supreme Court on final year university examinations evoked mixed reactions from academics, students, politicians and social workers. Many associated with the ABVP and other students’ organizations hailed the verdict while those owing allegiance to NSUI and others flayed it while highlighting risk factors due to Covid-19 pandemic.
Maharashtra tourism minister Aaditya Thackeray, who had challenged UGC’s circular as a Yuva Sena chief in SC, told TOI that apex court had agreed with their most important point of upholding the decision of Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority. “SC reiterated that it was up to respective states to decide on when and how to hold exams and not follow the UGC’s September 30 deadline. Yuva Sena stands firmly for the well-being and good health of the students, teachers, non-teaching staff and their families,” he said.
Others like city-based lawyer Siddharth Dharmadhikari, who pleaded for the interveners, said the court had made it clear that students can’t be promoted without exams and UGC was the final authority on the issue. “SC has also clarified that states don’t have the powers under the Disaster Management Act to cancel exams. However, they were granted liberty to approach the UGC to defer the exams beyond September 30 in view of pandemic,” he said.
Expressing displeasure with the top court’s judgment, NSUI activist and final year MA (Sociology) student Ajit Singh said, it would put the lives of lakhs of students in peril. “We never opposed the exams, but in view of coronavirus cases multiplying and casualties jumping each passing day, how would the examinees be protected? Who will take their responsibility if they’re infected? We have proved ourselves in previous semesters by clearing three exams. Why do we need to prove again by risking lives? The Maharashtra government has granted an option to those who want to appear in exams,” he said.
Some like Nagpur University Management Council member Vishnu Changde, who had filed an intervention against a plea filed by Yuva Sena, said the SC decision had reaffirmed autonomy of universities across India. “I request chief minister Uddhav Thackeray and education minister Uday Samant to immediately declare exams schedule to avoid further confusion among students, but keeping in view the pandemic situation in the state,” he said.
Terming the verdict a slap for those wanting to pass the students without exams, social activist and family court judge Avinash Prabhune said the apex court had shown the right way to all stakeholders. “Populist demands appear emotionally correct for a moment but long term loss to society and culture is enormous and sometimes irreversible,” he said.
Students like Prathamesh Ghadole from Hislop College are not convinced about the SC’s decision stating that many residing in containment zones would find it difficult to appear in the exams. “The outstation students have travelled to their respective hometowns a week before the lockdown was imposed without carrying study materials with them. They would be facing a lot of physical as well as mental pressure now,” he said.