Separate counters for SC/ST applicants sparks row

The admission centres of a few North Campus colleges sparked off a controversy on Monday, after they reportedly designated separate application form counters for students from the SC/ST and general categories.

The issue drew criticism from all quarters, with students from the reserved classes calling the move "highly discriminatory".

"This is quite embarrassing. I had come here with two of my school friends who did not know I belong to scheduled caste. But now they do, as I was forced had to go to a separate counter," said Vijay Kumar, who hails from Saharanpur.

"It felt discriminatory to stand in a separate line. I am not ashamed of my caste, but why am I made to stand separately?" asked Priya Devi, who bought her form at Daulat Ram College. She said that Deshbandhu College too had a separate line for SC/ST applicants.

On Day Two of admissions to the varsity, Daulat Ram College had set up separate counters. The college had marked a counter only for SC/ST students, right at the entrance gate.

While many students condemned the division of counters, some said it was aimed at managing crowds.

Balwant Meena, a BSc Mathematics aspirant, said: "All my friends are from the general category and I am from SC/ST. It feels like I'm being sidelined as I have to stand alone in the queue to get my form. It might help manage crowds better, but it raises a drawbridge between students."

Another candidate at Daulat Ram, Priyanka Sagar, said: "It is unfair to create separate counters. I feel that even the form for both categories should be the same. Why create a division in the application process?"

However, a few students saw no issues with the separation of counters.

Monica Bharti, a Humanities student, said, "The queues for general and OBC forms were serpentine. If SC/ST forms were also sold at those counters, the queues would have been longer."

Payal Singh wanting to pursue History Honours said, "Since the fee for the forms vary, it makes sense to have different counters."