Barred from exam,St Stephen’s alumni bat for Unmukt Chand

He requested the High Court to ask his college to allow him to sit for the annual exam.

The Association of Old Stephanians on Monday said Unmukt’s case illustrated the archaic rules. It asked colleges affiliated to Delhi University to be flexible for aspiring sportspersons while implementing the rules.

The association appealed to St Stephen’s College and Delhi University “to take necessary steps to ensure that promising sportspersons are encouraged to perform better and bring laurels to the country”.

Ashish Joshi of the association said there were many students like Unmukt who take admission in Delhi University under the sports quota,but face problems because of their sports responsibilties.

“Earlier,teachers would help sports quota students by taking separate tutorials or holding extra classes. The atmosphere in the college should be conducive for such students,” he said.

“Unmukt had approached the college principal. He could have taken his case as an exception and allowed him to sit for the exam. However,the case was transferred to the university officials. They simply barred him. As a result,the cricketer had to approach the court,” he said.

Udit Bhatia,an alumnus of St Stephen’s College,said the nature of the rules create hurdles for sportspersons.

“The university has strange rules when it comes to attendance. A student who has taken admission in a college under the sports quota is required to attend at least one-third of the total number of classes. Moreover,he cannot forgo his sports duties,” he said.