You would think admissions are easier if you fall safely under the required merit list of the colleges. But, Mumbai University admissions 2018 tell another tale of unexpected halts, confusion and ruckus among both, the students as well as the colleges.
What’s The Issue?
The first merit list for admissions of the University of Mumbai was released on June 19, 2018, a few weeks after the start of the admission procedure on May 31, 2018. The second merit list was expected on June 22, 2018 but, on June 21, 2018, the State Education Minister ordered a stay on the admissions to degree colleges until further notice. Since then, there’s been no update in the merit lists, or the admissions of the students.
Why Have The Admissions Been Stayed
The Bombay High Court in November 2017 issued an order which stated that all colleges with 50% reservations belonging to the minority category will not reserve seats for SC/ST and OBC category students. This order referred to the 2005 Constitutional Amendment which exempts minority institutions from reservations. This 2005 amendment was made in consonance with Article 15(5) of Indian Constitution which elucidates that minority institutions under Article 30 shall be exempted from constitutional reservations.
In conformity of this order, the University took a shift in admission processes and reservations for backward category students were cancelled.
This led to a series of protests among the students’ organisations, which has, now, led to the government moving to the Supreme Court against the Bombay High Court.
Government’s Course Of Action
The status quo is that the state government has filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court. Court. This SLP, which is yet to come up for hearing, has left the admission process stranded. The decision will come only after the hearing which is expected to happen within a week.
How Does It Affect Students And Colleges
This has left the students and colleges in a state of chaos and uncertainty. Students are approaching the college authorities daily to seek some clarity; and, the authorities are clueless about the answers themselves till the time there’s no order or ruling about the SLP.
The many people who got their names in the first list are unsure and uncertain too. This is also affecting people who have come to secure admissions from outside Maharashtra. “There are many students who apply from outside Maharashtra. They, along with their parents, camp in Mumbai until admissions are over. Right now, they don’t know what the future holds or how long the process would take,” said a principal of a college on the condition of anonymity. While some colleges are keeping mum, some are asking parents and students to take admissions elsewhere in lieu of the prevailing uncertainty.
This has also delayed the start of the new academic session by a week, as of now. The delay will continue till the time the Supreme Court decides the fate of the SLP in question.
This entire situation has left the students clueless about the future and, in doubt about existing admissions. The secured and unsecured seats – both, have left the fate of thousands, unclear
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