The J&K Students Association Students Association on Saturday urged Jamia Millia Islamia Vice Chancellor Professor Najma Akhtar to establish entrance exam centre for Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) in Srinagar, Kashmir. In a Statement National Convenor of the Association Nasir Khuehami said that, Hundreds of students from Kashmir Valley are appearing in Entrance Examination for 2023-2024 in Jamia Millia Islamia. The problem is that students from Kashmir have their centres in Delhi and Aligarh.
He said that, Despite seats being reserved for J&K students, the university has failed to provide exam centres in Srinagar, making it difficult for marginalized students to pursue their dreams and ambitions. With the entrance exams scheduled for the first week of June, the Association is concerned that many students may miss the exams if exam centres are not set up locally.
It would not be possible for examinees staying in far-flung areas to take exams in Delhi due to the scorching heat and financial constraints. It is not possible for a majority of students to afford air tickets and book hotels. It will take them days to reach Delhi and students who have opted for more than one subject will have to stay longer. The JMI has already notified exam schedules for different courses, but has not announced exam centres in Srinagar yet, despite repeated requests by students and parents, he said.
The Association President argues that the remoteness of exam centres should not be a barrier for Kashmiri students, particularly those from marginalized communities. For many, traveling to other states is an expensive and time-consuming process that they cannot afford. Going by road is a time-consuming process, particularly through the Jammu-Srinagar Highway. It will take them days to reach Delhi. The students said that it is not possible for them to afford air tickets to travel to other states and appear in exams, Mushtaq added while quoting students.
National General Secretary Organisation Danish Lone Urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and JMI Vice Chancellor Prof Najma Akhtar to establish alternative exam centres in Srinagar for the entrance exams. Kashmiri students mostly prefer Jamia Millia for postgraduate and PhD courses for safety and security. Hundreds of students are currently enrolled at Jamiq Millia in undergraduate, postgraduate and research courses. Jamia has not set up exam centres in Srinagar leaving students from the marginalised section high and dry.
He said that, It will be very inconvenient for the Kashmiri students to travel all the way and spend money on accommodation in National Capital, if their examination centre are not arranged locally. Students belonging to the average income group can't afford the travel and accommodation expenses. The remoteness of an examination centre should not be a hindrance to a Kashmiri student’s dream of pursuing education and ambition. The students have shot off a letter and mails to Jamia & Jammu and Kashmir Administration to intervene in the matter so that the exam can be held in Kashmir province as well, but till now repeated mails remain unanswered.
Lone has sought immediate intervention to establish alternative exam centre for Kashmiri students in Srinagar for the entrance exam, otherwise large number of the students may miss the examination if the centre is not set up in Valley. He said that, this will ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to pursue higher education without financial and logistical barriers.
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