UP brothers who cracked IIT provided police protection after being pelted with stones

The two brothers from Pratapgarh Uttar Pradesh, who made it to IIT this year depsite their financial conditions, have been given police security after they were attacked on Sunday.

Brijesh and Raju, sons of a daily wager, were reportedly pelted with stones by unknown people on Sunday. A team of police was briefly posted outside their house in Pratapgarh.

Brijesh and Raju had cleared the IIT test at 410 and 167 positions, but their future at the prestigious university was unclear because of their financial condition.

But on Saturday, HRD Minister Smriti Irani had announced that their registration fees will be waived and they will be eligible for scholarships that cover tuition, mess and other charges.

The day after this announcement from Smriti Irani, both the brothers were attacked at their home.

After their results were declared, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and Bollywood actor Aamir Khan had spoken to them on phone. 

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yadav too extended help and announced that his government would honour the two brothers and bear the expenses of their admission and education.

"Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has taken a decision in this regard taking note of media reports on how the two young brothers Brijesh Kumar Saroj and Raju Saroj successfully faced financial challenges and overcame all odds to crack the prestigious examination," a government spokesman had said.

The fees for the IIT programme runs to Rs 50,000 (Rs 30,000 admission fee and Rs 20,000 for the first semester). Counselling begins on June 25.