June 14, 2024, Maharashtra, India – The Maharashtra government has set new rules requiring SC and OBC students to score 75% marks from Class 10 onwards to qualify for study abroad scholarships. This change has upset many students and led to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Bombay High Court.
Eknath Wagh, a student who wants to study at Harvard, said, “The 75% mark criterion jeopardizes our future.” The new rules, meant to ensure that scholarships go to the most deserving students, have faced criticism for making it harder for marginalized students to study abroad.
Legal Challenge
The PIL filed in the Bombay High Court argues that the new rules are unfair and unconstitutional. Activists believe these rules hurt SC and OBC students the most, blocking their path to higher education abroad.
Ambedkarite activists are also speaking out. They say the higher marks and income limits will stop many students from achieving their dreams. The legal challenge questions if the new policy is fair and inclusive.
Impact on Students
Many students are now unsure about their futures. Eknath Wagh, hoping to attend Harvard, may lose his chance due to the new rules. “Our dreams of studying abroad are at risk,” he added.
These new rules come at a time when equal education opportunities are crucial. The higher cut-off may mean fewer SC and OBC students can get these scholarships, limiting their chances for better education and careers.
The Maharashtra government says the new rules are to make sure scholarships go to the best students based on merit and need. Officials believe these changes are necessary.
However, critics argue that these rules don’t consider the challenges faced by marginalized students. They worry that the new rules will make education opportunities even more unequal.
Maharashtra’s new scholarship rules have caused a lot of controversy. The legal and public challenges show the possible negative effects on SC and OBC students. As the Bombay High Court looks at the PIL, many students like Eknath Wagh wait anxiously. The court’s decision will be important for the future of educational fairness in Maharashtra.