New Delhi:
The Delhi University has been asked by the High Court here to explain its stand on a plea, questioning the validity of admission criteria of a student in the faculty of Music and Fine Arts.
The University admission criteria for MA (Hindustani Music) course for academic session 2011-12 was challenged by applicant Babita Rawat, who was denied admission to the course despite graduating in Hindi Music with 62 per cent marks.
Issuing notice to the University on the girl's plea, the bench of acting Chief Justice A K Sikri and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw sought its response by January 27, 2012, the next date of hearing.
In her petition, filed through advocate Ashok Aggarwal, Rawat contended that the admission criteria, based merely on the candidate's performance in the entrance test (practical) was arbitrary.
"The Rules, Regulations and Eligibility Conditions for admissions 2011-12 in MA (Hindustani Music) whereby the merit list is drawn solely on the basis of performance at the entrance test (practical) is arbitrary, discriminatory, unjust, illegal, unconstitutional and violative of Articles 14, 15 and 21 of the Constitution and the provisions of Delhi University Act," the girl contended in her petition.
Rawat said the merit list was drawn on the basis of the performance at the entrance test and no written test was held by the college.
"No record of entrance test (practical) is prepared and maintained by the selection committee. The decisions to select candidates are solely at the whims and fancies of the members of the committee. Such a criteria is open to discrimination, favouritism, arbitrariness and therefore, impermissible in law," her petition said.
The girl claimed Ramjas College, where she had applied for the Master's degree course in music, ignored her marks and selected another student on the basis of performance.
The petitioner contended the student was not even eligible to be registered for the course but he was granted admission by the college.