‘ST Muslim’ category for postgraduate admissions at Calicut University kicks up a row
The Hindu
Claim that category meant for students from Lakshadweep
An inquiry has been sought into the inclusion of ‘Scheduled Tribe Muslim’ category for students during the ongoing admissions to postgraduate courses in teaching departments of the University of Calicut.
P. Rasheed Ahammed, United Democratic Front-aligned Syndicate member, said on Saturday that there was nothing called “ST Muslim”. It should be found out on whose directions such a category had been created. The university authorities are learnt to have informed Mr. Ahammed that the category was meant for students from the Lakshadweep.
The Syndicate member, however, said students from the islands were being given reservations not because they belonged to the ST category or because of their minority status. They are getting the benefit of the special consideration for the residents of the islands. Even those who are not Muslims or those who claim to be non-religious were being given reservations if they are from Lakshadweep.
The election authorities are gearing up for the counting of votes cast in the simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh, scheduled to be held on June 4. The Collectors and Election Officers of Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli and Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) districts said on May 23 (Thursday) that their teams were ready for the counting of votes.
Responding to the prolonged water scarcity, the residents of the area took to the streets in protest on Wednesday. The protest, which drew attention to their plight, stopped only after the intervention of the police. It was not until 1.30 p.m. that a 4000-litre tanker was finally delivered by BWSSB, providing relief to the water-starved residents.