SNDT’s ‘apathy’ puts 250 careers at stake

The 250-odd third year students of Aqsa Women’s Degree College, Bhiwandi, gathered at Azad Maidan on Monday to protest against the Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women’s University (SNDT). The students were not allowed to sit for their final year university exams, which started on April 1, because the university did not grant affiliation to their college.

“I was going to apply for post-graduation in English Literature, but I can’t since I won’t be able to clear my third year exams,” said Mahuash Patel, an arts student.

The college was established in May 2005. It applied to SNDT for affiliation in October that year. “The university collected Rs2 lakh affiliation fee for arts and science faculties and gave us the go ahead to start admissions from June 2006,” said Oneza Tanveer Farid, principal of the college. However, they were later informed that the state government had declined to give them an NOC.

“We approached the National Commission for Minority Institutions, Delhi. In April 2007, the commission asked SNDT University and the state to grant us the affiliation."
Even after the state’s nod, SNDT failed to grant affiliation. “We have filed a writ petition in high court. We want the university to grant us affiliation from June 2006 and conduct exams for our students,” said Farid.

Chandra Krishnamurthy, vice chancellor of SNDT University, said, “The matter is sub judice. The court will decide whether we should give them affiliation.”