Madrassa students and DU
The new criteria of having 200 marks in Bengali and English in SSC and HSC level, barring the madrassa students in some departments of DU, has created deep resentment amongst madrassa students. Madrassa students study similar curriculum for Bengali and English in their Dakhil and Alim level as the college students do in their SSC and HSC. But allocation of number has been shrunk to 100 for each to give place to the Islamic subjects.
I fail to understand why some of the departments are trying to bar the madrassa students from their legitimate right to be admitted in the varsity on merit. They are not claiming any quota! By putting technical obstacle on their right of being treated on merit, the DU authorities are pushing them to hard-line which ultimately may force some of them to resort to vandalism and anarchy to establish their right of equal opportunity.
The authorities' attempt to give a police solution is clearly unwarranted and provocative. The arrest of madrassa students while they were trying to form a peaceful human chain to press home their legitimate demand from the National Press Club can no way get nod from any well-meaning citizen, especially those who are advocating right of expression and fair competition.
If the madrassa students can prove their merit in a highly competitive admission test, it is fully irrational to deprive them technically.
Reportedly, the Dean of the arts faculty proposed to increase the pass marks of Bengali and English in admission test. The proposal could be a good alternative.
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