While the Maharashtra Governor Ch. Vidyasagar Rao is yet to sign the resolution for the ordinance passed by the State Cabinet on Friday, aspirants from the open category have written to the Governor’s office on Saturday. They will approach him on Monday against the ordinance and plead that he saves the value of merit.
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The State Cabinet had on Friday extended its approval to amend the Maharashtra State Reservation (of seats for admission in education institutions in the State and for appointments in public services and posts under the State) for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) Act, 2018.
On Saturday, postgraduate medical aspirants from the open category and their parents held a rally at Carter Road in Bandra to protest the State ordinance. Simultaneous protests were also held in Nagpur, Pune, Aurangabad and Akola, where open category aspirants and their parents pleaded the government to put an end to their woes.
“We simply do not understand how the State government could go over the Supreme Court verdict under the pretext of the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) case that is pending. We are frustrated now because of the mess that the government has made of the admissions. I always wanted to get into M.D. Medicine, but that has become difficult now with the quota, despite me having secured a good rank,” Dr. Arjav Nanavati said.
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While the students will challenge the ordinance in the court, they have also approached the Governor.
Threat calls
Meanwhile, members of the ‘Save Merit’ group alleged that they were receiving threat calls to not speak up against the reservation. “During our rally, I got a call from a doctor claiming to be from a certain community. He warned me against voicing my opinion, despite me telling him repeatedly that I stood for merit and not against any reservation. A few days back, a student had received a similar call,” said Sudha Shenoy, a parent.
While the Supreme Court in its May 9 order had asked the admission to be finished by May 25, the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell had stayed the admission process by seven days following a request from the government.
Advocate Gunratan Sadavarte said they have pleaded with the Governor to refer the resolution passed by the Cabinet back to the State for a reconsideration. “We have stated that the passing of the resolution on Friday was a colourable exercise and politically motivated move, besides being a breach of the SC’s May 9 order,” he said.
Anand Rayate, CET Cell Commissioner, told The Hindu that he was waiting for a direction from either the Supreme Court or the government. “We will be waiting till Monday. A petition regarding the EWS reservation is due to be heard by the SC on Monday. Our counsel will be present to ask the SC for directions to finish the admission within the extended span,” he said.
Admissions were stayed on Monday by the government on the pretext that if there is any change in the EWS decision, the seat matrix would have to be changed again.