ARRD expresses concern at discrimination meted out to two Chakma students

By Tejang Chakma

THE ACTION for Rights and Rural Development (ARRD) has expressed its concern over the undesirable action of Extra-Assistant Commissioner (EAC) of Diyun Circle in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh which resulted in denial of admission of two students, belonging to the Chakma community, at Jawahar NavodayaVidyalaya, Bordumsa.

In a press release on 23 July, the organization, working for the welfare and development of communities based in rural and remote areas in the north east India, stated that two Chakma students under Diyun Circle had cleared the selection test held in May for admission to Class IXth at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV), Bordumsa through Lateral Entry for academic year-2012-2013.

Last month, the Principal of JNV, Bordumsa informed the parents that their wards have been selected by the Vidyalaya Selection Committee for admission to Class IXth. The Principal further informed the parents to report to the school on 5 July 2012 for admission of their wards along with the affidavits certifying that they belong to rural areas and income certificates, which has to be issued by the competent authority.

The release also stated that pursuant to the admission notice, the parents of the two students approached the EAC, Diyun on July 4 requesting for issue of the documents to enable their wards to get admission. Shockingly, the EAC, Diyun did not issue the documents and allegedly bluntly told the parents not to come to his office again regarding the matter. Consequently, the two students lost the opportunity to access good quality modern education at the NVS, Bordumsa.

“The action of the EAC, Diyun, who is the administrative head, is unfortunate and discriminatory in nature without any doubt and violates the provisions of the Constitution of India, and the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child, to which India is a party and further constitutes denial of educational opportunities to the two Chakma students from accessing quality education,” stated the ARRD press release.

“The Action forRights and Rural Development appeal the EAC, Diyun to issue all the relevant documents required to enable the students to take admission at the JNV, Bordumsa irrespective of their caste, creed, religion etc and also requests the JNV, Bordumsa to admit the students provisionally or extend the time for admission,” added the press release.


Published by Merinews, 24 July 2012