Mangaluru: MLA Dr Y Bharath Shetty has urged educational institutions to follow a uniform policy on examinations scheduled during religious festivals, stressing that students should not face inconvenience because of examinations held on days of religious significance.
Speaking at a press conference at the district BJP office in Mangaluru, Shetty said educational institutions should function without discrimination based on caste or religion and respect festivals celebrated by people of all faiths. He said institutions need not necessarily declare holidays for every festival, but examinations should not be conducted on such days.
MLA calls for consistent examination policy
Shetty said scheduling examinations during festivals creates difficulties for students who wish to observe religious traditions with their families. He called for a consistent approach across festivals, irrespective of the religion associated with them.
Recalling an earlier instance when student organisations sought the postponement of examinations scheduled during Christmas, he said the request had resulted in exams being rescheduled. He argued that the same principle should apply to festivals of all faiths.
According to Shetty, students should not have to approach the district administration every time an examination coincides with a festival. He called on educational institutions to adopt clear guidelines in advance to avoid repeated disputes and ensure that students are treated fairly.
His remarks came amid concerns over the handling of a memorandum submitted by members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the subsequent protest by female students.
Shetty questions police handling of ABVP students
Addressing the incident, Shetty said ABVP students had informed the authorities in advance that they would visit to submit a memorandum. He maintained that five or six students had gone to submit the representation and were not there to stage a protest.
He alleged that the female students began protesting as the group was returning after submitting the memorandum. He further claimed that police personnel had dragged the students away even before the memorandum was submitted.
Shetty criticised the alleged handling of the students, particularly the treatment of female students, and questioned the district administration’s response to the incident.
He said the matter required clarification from the authorities and argued that students should be allowed to raise concerns and submit representations through established channels without facing unnecessary confrontation.
The MLA also questioned the reported attempt to make students sign bonds, asking why such measures were being considered to control student activities. He said the practice of obtaining bonds had been dropped after questions were raised about it.
He questioned the rationale behind seeking bonds after the alleged physical handling of the students, arguing that the sequence of events warranted an explanation from the administration.
Questions raised over administration’s response
Shetty criticised the Congress, alleging that while the party raises issues concerning events in Delhi, it seeks to suppress student voices in Karnataka and Kerala. His remarks were directed at the handling of student concerns and the response of the authorities to the ABVP’s representation.
He said educational institutions and the district administration should clarify their positions if questions raised by students remained unanswered. He also called for greater consistency in addressing student grievances and ensuring that administrative action does not discourage peaceful representations.
The incident has brought attention to two issues raised by the MLA: the need for a uniform policy on examinations during religious festivals and the treatment of students who approach authorities with memoranda.
Shetty’s comments reflect the BJP’s criticism of the handling of the incident. The allegations concerning police conduct and the circumstances surrounding the proposed bonds would require clarification from the police and district administration.