Students allowed to write examination in Marathi,but given questions in English

Students said they should not have been allowed to write the exams in Marathi if the varsity could not give the question papers in Marathi. “We thought we would get the questions papers in Marathi. We can’t protest now as our exams are going on and we fear the varsity authorities may take action against us. We are somehow managing to answer the exams this time,but we hope the university brings out question papers in Marathi during the final exam.”

Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena (Mumbai University wing) vice-president Santosh Gangurde said it was an injustice to the students and authorities were violating the Mumbai University Act. “This course is not available in Marathi in the university,so the students opted for the course in English. At one level,they allowed these candidates to answer their exams in Marathi; then they do not publish the paper in Marathi. This is against the Mumbai University Act,1994.”

Gangurde,who is contesting to the university senate,said,“I have already brought this to the notice of the Vice-Chancellor; he has promised to look into the matter,failing which we would write to the Chancellor.”

The Controller of Examinations,however,said the question papers could not be brought out in Marathi unless it is approved by the academic council. “First of all,the course is in English though the students were allowed to write in Marathi. The papers were set in English and not in Marathi. Unless there is an approval from the academic council,the paper cannot be brought out in Marathi and the students will have to write their exams with English question papers.”