We stand for equality of status and opportunity. What about you?: Tamil students ask Kejriwal

In their complaint, the students’ association alleged that the AAP had “singled out students from a particular state” in their Lok Sabha election campaign
Representational image
Representational image

The Delhi Tamil Students' Association is still protesting against the alleged violation of Model Code of Conduct by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal while he was campaigning for the Aam Admi Party. They had lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of India on Friday. The students pointed out to the fact that the CM in his speeches was insinuating that students from Tamil Nadu were taking away seats at DU.


"As a part of his campaign, a caller gets a random phone call where he tells flawed information and insulted the TN students. Here is one more proof wherein a campaign  Aravind Kejriwal has once again mentioned that TN students are reducing the opportunities of Delhi students," said a recent post on the group's Facebook page. The post was accompanied by a video of the CM speaking at a rally. "This clearly showcases the divisive politics and strong discrimination prevailing among the students in the name of for political reasons. Kejriwal sir, we would like to tell you that we never snatch any opportunity from anyone. We get the seats clearly on merit basis! Please do not discourage us, we are one among you and we stand united for our country and true believers of 'equality of status and of opportunity, and to promote among them all fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the nation.' What about you?" they asked the CM.

In their complaint, the students’ association alleged that the AAP had “singled out students from a particular state” in their Lok Sabha election campaign. The Election Commission has officially received the complaint.

Shravena Raghulasr, President of the association and a Law student at the university, told Hindustan Times, “As a part of the AAP’s election campaign, Delhi residents are receiving phone calls wherein Kejriwal’s recorded voice says that 500 students every year from Tamil Nadu are taking admission in DU and that it reduces opportunities for Delhi residents.” He said the move could create a “hostile environment” for Tamil students in the city. “We are not reducing anyone’s opportunity. We are entering good DU colleges through our marks only. And why has he taken the name only of our state, when half of DU students are from neighbouring Uttar Pradesh and Punjab? Such messages can create trouble for us,” Raghulasr added.

The AAP’s spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj told the media that his party was concerned for all students completing Class 12 from Delhi schools, even if they belonged to another state. “The chief minister and the party are citing a factual position where all Class 12 state boards are treated on a par with the CBSE board at Delhi University. Some state boards are lenient in granting marks. This puts Delhi students at a disadvantage because Delhi has no state board. So, students from Delhi schools, which are CBSE-affiliated, do not get admissions in colleges,” he said.

The AAP manifesto promised to reserve 85 per cent seats for Delhi residents in city colleges. Delhi University officials have rejected the claims saying the university was established in 1922 through an Act of the Central Legislative Assembly and is governed by the Union government. “For any change, we need to bring an amendment,” a university official said.

PC Jain, former principal of Shri Ram College of Commerce, said the discourse around more Tamil students getting admission in DU started when 75 per cent of students enrolled in the SRCC in 2016 were from Tamil Nadu. “But the admissions were completely based on the merit,” he said.

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