The higher education administration of Madhya Pradesh has issued regulations prohibiting students facing criminal convictions from enrolling in universities and colleges. The state’s admissions process will begin on August 1st, with an estimated 1.17 million students anticipated to apply for admission to higher education institutions. To be admitted, students will have to provide statements stating that they have no current charges against them.
“College principals have been asked to take an undertaking from every student while giving admission that he or she is not facing any criminal charges in any state of India,” said a college principal, who did not want to be named.
Students found guilty of misbehaving with faculty, staff, or other students and vandalising property will also not get admissions.
A 48-page new rule book for admissions was notified on July 15 and made available to colleges earlier this week.
Student leaders have taken exception to the rules saying they could be misused for targeting students on an ideological basis and for participating in protests against the government or colleges.
“First they banned direct student union elections and now this rule is to stop students from participating in the protests against the government,” said Ajay Tiwari, state secretary of the Students Federation of India. He pointed out that students across the state have participated in protests against inflation, three farm laws, and corruption. Tiwari added in some instances, the protesting students were even booked for rioting.
“So, many of these students will be denied their constitutional right to education because they expressed their constitutional right to protest and dissent,” Tiwari said.
Gopil Kotwal of the National Students Union of India said the rules would prevent student leaders from emerging from colleges. “Most of the leaders, who did not come from political families, rose as a result of active participation in student politics. Now the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party)-led state government does not want colleges to produce good leaders,” he said.
The Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh’s students wing, Akhil Bhartiya Vidhyarthi Parishad (ABVP), called the rules bizarre and unacceptable.
“This will definitely end student politics and is against one’s right to education,” said ABVP’s state secretary Praveen Sharma. He added the rules deny a chance to an accused to improve and live a better life. “How can college authorities decide the future of a student even before the court passes its order?” he asked.
Congress lawmaker Kunal Chaudhary said he will raise the issue in assembly as the rules violate the right to education and are discriminatory. “We will not allow this autocratic rule. We will raise this issue in the assembly,” he said.
Ruling BJP leader Rajneesh Agrawal backed the rules saying they will not suppress student politics. “Students can raise the issues through peaceful protests as they can learn discipline and respect for the Constitution.”
Former high court judge AK Gohil said the Constitution has made education till higher secondary level a fundamental right and the rules punish someone even before a court has taken a view. He called the rules discriminatory.
“I think the government should give provisional or conditional admission to students with criminal charges to save their future. If proved guilty, their admission should be canceled.”
Higher education department principal secretary Anupam Rajan said they will ensure more clarity in the rules so that genuine students do not suffer. “We will come with a clarification soon.”
