[UGC VS STUDENTS] SC Hearing On Petitions Seeking Cancellation Of Final Year Exams [Courtroom Exchange]

Datar: My submission is that any decision taken should be with consultation of Universities. “Other bodies concerned” should include authorities under DMA. 

Datar now refers to the UGC Act and the duties of the Commission.

“In consultation with Universities and other bodies concerned”. 

Datar: We are also worried about the students. We too want the exams to be held at the earliest. We are worried about their future, but it can’t be done in this manner. 

Datar: When it comes to accessibility and online exams, how will students without access be able to give the exams ? What about students with disabilities ?

Datar: There are so many educational institutes which have been turned into quarantine centres. As per the MHA guidelines, they can’t open till August 31. 

Datar: The other point I’m making is that an education centre in Pune which has lakhs of students is empty because the students have gone back home. 

Datar: When there were few cases and they couldn’t hold the exams, how can they say that we must hold the exams by Sept 30 when the cases are in lakhs ?!

Datar: Please see the April 29 guidelines where UGC had left it to the States and said that States would take a call depending upon the situation. 

Justice Bhushan states that if there are different dates for different States, then the argument would be raised that UGC is being discriminatory. 

Datar: How can you say that Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha must hold it by Sept 30 ? It is completely violative of Art. 14.