Guwahati: The three state-run universities in Assam have released an online receipt form that requires applicants to establish their caste, sparking anger among student groups and academics even when the authorities reject it as “goof-up” by their general software providers .
Drop-down options in the mandatory section of the application form to enter the Handique Girls’ College, Arya Vidyapeth College and Karmashree Hiteswar Saikia College – All in Guwahati – Including Brahmana, Ganak (Sub-Sect Brahmana Assam), Kalita, Kayastha, Shudra and Baishya.
Attention of the alleged caste-based applicants was highlighted by the Federation of Indian Students (SFI), which said this could not occur without government knowledge.
But the Director of Dharma Dharma Kanta Mili said on Thursday that there was no such direction from the government.
“We cannot interfere in college functions.
The Directorate did not ask them to collect caste data.” In the college girl Handique, the submission of the online receipt form began last week and a large number of students had determined their caste and community.
College’s headmaster did not respond to repeat phone calls from TOI.
An official asking that he was not named said the IT service provider Adroit DigiSoft solution included its own caste column.
“There must be a system to identify students from the categories that are ordered such as SC, ST or OBC.
But we did not realize that students were asked on the entry portal to reveal their caste.
The college authority can immediately drop this part,” the official said.
KK Gogoi software developer said the company had decided to drop caste options, based on the objections of the college.
“We want more specifically.
If a student comes from the general category, information related to caste will make his identity clearer,” he said.
Sikhamoni Konwar, Principal of Karmashree Hiteswar Saikia College, said that IT companies had been asked to immediately remove the caste option.
“We don’t even keep a note about religion that follow, especially caste,” he said.
“There are no instructions from the government to record caste and religious applicants this time too.” SFI Secretary Nirangkush Nath State Alleged that the government led by BJP might bring caste mapping to academic institutions.
“Some students don’t realize their caste when our volunteers help them fill out online forms.
Never before we have to express our caste.”