MANGALURU: Babita, who secured first class in second PUC examinations (68 percent) is unsure on whether she would be able to continue her education and stand independently on her feet.
Babita’s efforts to secure admission in government-run hostels for students from SC/ST community in and around Mangaluru and pursue degree in Arts in government first grade college in Kavoor have not been fruitful so far. Her request for admission to SC/ST hostels was rejected as she hails from Kasargod district in Kerala.
Babita, hailing from Mugera (SC) community, had studied in Kannada medium school in Kasargod district. She completed PUC in Vittla PU college in Dakshina Kannada district against all odds, hoping for a hassle-free admission to a government college and hostel in Mangaluru.
Babita’s case is not an isolated incident.
Academically bright Kannada-speaking students from Kasargod district, especially girls, are abandoning their dreams of higher education after being denied admission in SC/ST hostels. “Some girl students travel 60 to 80 kms before reaching Kasargod railway station (a hour-long journey from Mangaluru),” informs Rajashekar Hebbar C, Principal of Dr P Dayananda Pai-P Satisha Pai government first grade college, which has enrolled highest number of girl students (250) from Kasargod district.
Mangaluru Joint Director Udayashankar H sees nothing wrong in Kasargod SC/ST Kannadiga students being denied admission in hostels. “Kerala government also does not offer any facilities to students from Karnataka,” he argued.
A college principal, on conditions of anonymity, informed Express that a letter was submitted urging Commissioner of Collegiate Education to extend all benefits to Kasargod Kannadigas who come under ‘Gadinadu Kannadiga’ category. “Presently they are considered as general merit students and get only bus passes,” the principal said.
DK district Social Welfare Officer G Santosh Kumar did not respond to calls or SMS queries from Express. Mangaluru MLA and Committee on Welfare of Backward Classes and Minorities Chairman J R Lobo informed Express on having requested Social Welfare Minister Anjaneya to direct officers on enrolling students in SC/ST hostels.
“I have written a letter to Minister Anjaneya on Friday requesting him to consider Kannada speaking SC/ST students from Kasargod district as Gadinada Kannadigas and enrol them in hostels,” he informed. Karnataka Rakshana Vedike district chief Dr M Annayya Kulal promised to raise the issue at the highest level.
Degree colleges in the district have re-opened from June 15 but government-run hostels for SC/ST and other backward communities in the district continue to remain closed. The social welfare department is still accepting applications and has fixed July 15 as deadline for submitting applications for hostel admissions.