ABVP holds statewide protests over problems in college admissions through GCAS
June 24, 2024
Ahmedabad: The members of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) protested across Gujarat today regarding various issues and difficulties faced by students using the Gujarat Common Admission Service (GCAS) Portal. ABVP members locked down universities in Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Surat, and Vadodara.
The protests saw clashes between ABVP workers and the police, resulting in one worker being injured and another needing treatment after falling unconscious.
The admission process for undergraduate and postgraduate students in 15 government universities in the state is being conducted through the GCAS portal. After the statewide agitation, a delegation from the Vidharthi Parishad visited the Minister of Education, who assured a prompt resolution to the students’ issues.
As per the ABVP statement, “Students are facing numerous challenges due to inefficiencies in the GCAS portal and the lack of transparency among corrupt bureaucrats in the education department. The admission process is also significantly delayed. Frustrated by these issues, students are compelled to seek admission in private universities. Many problems have arisen from the non-verification of students’ documents. There have even been rumors of male students gaining admission to women’s colleges, highlighting the confusion caused by incomplete information and unavailable college details on the GCAS portal.”
Following a statewide agitation by the Vidyarthi Parishad, a meeting between the state delegation of the ABVP and Education Minister Rushikeshbhai Patel was held to address student issues and find solutions.
After thorough discussions on the seven key points of contention, the following assurances were provided:
1. Students who were denied registration will be given another opportunity to register on GCAS.
2. Permission will be granted at the university level to change college preferences even after the first round on GCAS.
3. Efforts will be made to enhance transparency in college merit lists and student information.
4. Document verification will be conducted at the university level before subsequent rounds.
5. The admission process for LLB Law Colleges will commence immediately.
6. Results of graduate courses, as well as re-verification or supplementary examination results, pending from universities will be promptly declared.
7. College seat matrices will be made available on the GCAS portal.
Samarth Bhatt, Gujarat State Secretary of ABVP, remarked, “Students have been facing numerous challenges with GCAS. The student council has continuously attempted to communicate these issues to the government, but so far, no solutions have been forthcoming. Due to this lack of resolution, ABVP workers staged protests across Gujarat. Following the statewide agitation, the Vidyarthi Parishad delegation has been assured that all these issues will be resolved statewide. This victory brings joy to all workers and demonstrates the strong determination of Gujarat’s student community.”
In Rajkot, all departments of Saurashtra University were shut down by ABVP members, leading to clashes with police and university staff. The activists later burnt an effigy. However, students from outside Rajkot city faced difficulties due to the closure of the examination department.
ABVP activists also gathered in large numbers outside Gujarat University. They staged a play about the GCAS portal near the university tower and later locked the doors, trapping the police inside. The police eventually smashed the lock with a hammer, leading to a clash with ABVP workers. The activists eventually ended their agitation. Along with State Secretary Samarth Bhatt, the ABVP members submitted a memorandum to the Vice Chancellor of Gujarat University.
In Vadodara, ABVP workers rallied from Fateganj Circle to the M.S. University head office and destroyed the GCAS portal upon arrival. The police intervened, resulting in clashes and injuries. One worker was taken to the hospital with a head injury, and another was transported by ambulance after losing consciousness.
ABVP State Secretary Samarth Bhatt stated “GCAS portal has failed, with only 4 lakh out of 9 lakh seats registered and only 1 lakh students admitted.” The ABVP has warned the government that if the problems with the GCAS portal are not resolved within the next 48 hours, there will be a fierce agitation.
Akshay Rabari of Vadodara ABVP stated, “the GCAS portal is a good initiative by the government, but it has several drawbacks. ABVP has been making representations for several months without resolution. Today, we sought to meet with the Education Minister through the Vice-Chancellor, who did not come out to meet us. The police intervened, leading to clashes and injuries among ABVP workers.”
In Surat, ABVP members held a protest at Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, locking the doors of the university and performing a havan on the road, causing a roadblock.
M.S. University Registrar K.M. Chudasma acknowledged the technical glitches in the GCAS portal and committed to rectifying the errors. DeshGujarat
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