In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of India stepped in to ensure justice for Dalit student Atul Kumar, who had earned a seat in the prestigious IIT Dhanbad but nearly lost it due to financial constraints. This ruling not only reinstated his seat but also shed light on the challenges faced by students from marginalized communities in accessing higher education in India.
The Journey to IIT Dhanbad
Dalit student Atul Kumar, hailing from Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, comes from a family struggling to make ends meet. His father, a daily-wage laborer, earns ₹450 a day. Despite these hardships, Atul managed to crack the JEE and secure a spot in the coveted Electronics Engineering course at IIT Dhanbad. However, due to an inability to pay the ₹17,500 admission fee by the deadline, his admission was canceled, putting his dreams at risk.
Running from Pillar to Post
Determined not to give up, Dalit student Atul Kumar sought help from various legal bodies. He approached the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, the Jharkhand Legal Services Authority, and the Madras High Court. However, his attempts to seek justice were met with bureaucratic hurdles, forcing him to take his plea to the Supreme Court.
Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, heading the bench that heard Dalit student Atul Kumar’s case, expressed strong disapproval of how the system had treated the young student. The Supreme Court criticized the delays and obstacles that forced him to run from one authority to another, highlighting the institutional challenges that marginalized students often face when pursuing higher education.
A Victory in the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court, exercising its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, ordered IIT Dhanbad to admit Dalit student Atul Kumar to the Electrical Engineering course. To ensure fairness, the court directed the creation of a supernumerary seat for Atul, ensuring no existing student’s seat would be affected. The court emphasized that Atul’s exclusion was purely due to financial constraints, which should not be the reason for a deserving Dalit student to lose his future.
“I am very happy. The court said my seat could not snatch away solely due to a financial problem,” said Atul with a smile, adding, “The train that had derailed is back on track now.”
Empowering Marginalized Communities
This case is a powerful reminder of the inequalities that continue to persist in India’s education system. For students like Dalit student Atul Kumar, the journey to higher education is fraught with financial constraints and social challenges. The Supreme Court’s intervention not only set a precedent for similar cases but also served as a beacon of hope for other students from marginalized communities.
Read More: National Film Awards 2024: Mithun Chakraborty Honored with Dadasaheb Phalke Award- Click Here
A Bright Future Ahead for Dalit Student
Dalit student Atul Kumar’s story is not just about his fight to retain his seat but also about resilience and hope. Now that his path has cleare, Atul is focuse on making the most of his IIT Dhanbad education. “I will work hard and become an electrical engineer from IIT Dhanbad,” he said, looking forward to a future where his talents can shine.
This ruling by the Supreme Court reaffirms the role of the judiciary in safeguarding the rights of Dalit students and ensuring that no talent goes to waste due to financial constraints. For Dalit student Atul Kumar, the future looks bright as he embarks on his journey toward becoming an engineer, inspiring others from marginalized communities to never give up on their dreams, regardless of the obstacles they face.
