The Hindu : New Delhi News : Muslim quota: State moves apex court

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Thursday, May 29, 2008
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Muslim quota: State moves apex court

J. Venkatesan

New Delhi: The Andhra Pradesh government on Wednesday moved the Supreme Court seeking permission to allow 38 students belonging to socially and educationally backward classes among Muslims selected for post-graduate medical courses under the 4 per cent quota to be admitted and to attend classes.

In an application the State said that counselling for post-graduate medical admissions were held pursuant to the interim orders passed by the Supreme Court on May 16 and counselling was held for 38 Muslim students selected under the quota.

It said that formal admissions could not be given to them in view of the orders of the May 16 order under which the State was asked to go ahead with counselling but no admissions should be made.

It said if the students who had completed their counselling were not permitted to attend the classes and pursue their studies they would be put to serious prejudice and suffering. The State contended that the concerned universities and other authorities might object them from taking examinations either on the ground of lack of attendance or on the ground that they were only counselled but not admitted in to the course. It prayed for permitting the 38 students to attend the classes subject to the result of the pending proceedings.

Earlier, a seven-judge Bench of the Andhra Pradesh High Court stayed all admissions under the 4 per cent Muslim quota.

On State’s appeal, the apex court permitted counselling but made it clear that no admissions should be made.

On Monday two students filed petitions challenging the State government’s decision to select students under the Muslim quota contending that the authorities could not admit students.

The present application was filed by the State so that it could admit students selected under the Muslim quota.

The application is likely to come up for hearing in a day or two.

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