Plea To Relocate Students Affected By Manipur Violence To Central Universities : Supreme Court Seeks Views Of SG, Advocate General

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (28.11.2023) directed the Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta and Advocate General of Manipur to consider a plea for relocating 284 students affected by the Manipur violence to different Central Universities where they could continue their studies. The bench comprising CJI DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra was hearing a plea by students of Manipur University, Imphal seeking to direct the UGC to relocate them to different Central Universities as they had to to leave the State due to the situation in Manipur and could not continue their education there. 

At the outset, the bench asked Senior Advocate Meenakshi Arora, appearing for the students, why the students could not move to the Manipur High Court. The senior counsel responded by stating that many of the students had now moved out of Manipur and it was difficult for them to go back to the State now. She added that similar relief had been granted to Kashmiri migrants as well. She said–

"For Kashmir migrants the same thing was done. They are all out of Manipur now. If they can just be accommodated in other universities...these are 284 students and there are 54 central universities..."

She further stated that six months had already passed since the students had left their University and they did not have a lot of time. 

The Solicitor General stated, acknowledging the issue, stated–

"It is a problem, it needs to be sorted. All I'm saying is please don't join the committee as a party."

The bench agreed to not join the Committee led by Justice Gita Mittal, established for humanitarian grievances of the Manipur violence, in the matter.

The CJI stated–

"The petition has been filed to highlight grievance of 284 students who were pursuing various courses in Manipur University, Imphal. Each of the students were pursuing their respective courses at various stages. Due to situation in Manipur, it is submitted that some have had to leave the state. Petitioner requests a direction to relocate them to other central universities. We have asked the SG and the Advocate General of Manipur to look into it. List on Monday."

The matter will now be heard on December 4, 2023.

Case Title: Dinganglung Gangmei v Mutum Churamani Meetei And Ors. Diary No. 19206-2023

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