Inter-Church Council defends its stance

The Inter-Church Council for Education, under criticism for its stance on admission to medical courses in its member colleges, has defended its position.

In a press note issued on behalf of its chairman, Archbishop (Emeritus) Joseph Powathil, the council, without naming Pariyaram Medical College or the Communist Party of India (Marxist), alleged that the controversy was being precipitated with the motive of deflecting people's attention from the corruption and mismanagement at “the hospital controlled by ideologists.” The council also came down on the alleged attempt to communalise the issue.

The council said its stance, being followed during the past four years, had been accepted by the courts, the students, and society. The criticism from certain quarters after the change in government in the State had been baffling.

It said the 50:50 formula for admissions was evolved on the basis of a court directive 18 years ago, but this was later struck down by a 15-member Bench of the Supreme Court. Those who insisted on implementing a formula that was found illegal by the Supreme Court were challenging not only the legal system but also the democratic system in the country.

Instead of cross-subsidising education, the council had followed a system to impose a uniform fee structure accepted by the court and then instituting scholarships for financially backward students, it said.

Maintaining that the system ensured transparency, social justice, and merit in the admission process, the council said it was disappointing to note that certain elements were attacking it with ulterior motives.