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

Datta: Fine, they care about the standards of the examination. But, what about public health ?

Datta: There are dual aspects. There is education and public health. UGC has not informed the Court about what they’re doing about public health !

Datta: UGC has not consulted with the State. The State is working on the ground level and know how the situation. It is the duty of the State to ensure public health. 

Datta: They are not concerned with public health.

Bench: Guidelines of social distancing etc. still need to be followed. 

Datta: UGC cannot consider this to be a normal circumstance. They have proceeded on the basis as if this is 2019 or 2018. These are exceptional circumstances. 

Datta submits that different States cannot be treated on the same platter as every State has certain peculiarities. Further, UGC has not taken into account of these differences. 

Sr. Adv. Jaideep Gupta concludes his submissions.

AG of State of West Bengal, Kishore Datta, now begins making his submissions. 

Gupta: Further, three persons across the country cannot be said to form a proper consultation method. UGC has not complied with Section 12 of the UGC Act. 

Gupta: What they’re asking us to do is impossible. In the process, many students will be left out !

Gupta: They have not taken into account the accessibility of students. West Bengal will not be able to hold online exams because students don’t have the technology to give the exams.