Despite legal win, St Stephen’s petitioners face uncertainty

After weeks of legal wrangling with St Stephen’s College over admissions, six students who petitioned against the college’s revised admission policy finally began their academic journey on Saturday. However, while they celebrated a significant victory, the path ahead remains challenging, both for them and other students still grappling with uncertainty.

“Winning the case was like winning a battle,” said Gursanjan Singh Natt, one of the petitioners. “But despite the win, there is still an uncertainty, like what if the college appeals to a higher court? We could be back to square one.”

‘What if college moves higher court’

Winning the case was like winning a battle. But despite the win, there is still an uncertainty, like what if the college appeals to a higher court? We could be back to square one. — Gursanjan Singh Natt, a petitioner

The joy of starting classes was tinged with concern for their peers. Out of the 22 students initially denied admission, only six, including Natt, have secured their places in the prestigious institution. The fate of the remaining 16 students remains unclear.

Among those still waiting are several students under special quotas, including 12 single-girl-child candidates and three students from the orphan category. Only two single-girl-child students have been admitted, leaving others frustrated by the ongoing tussle between the university and the college.

Tumpa Sinha, mother of Shruti Sinha, a single girl child applicant, expressed her frustration over the lack of communication from college authorities. “I contacted the Deputy Dean of Admissions, Anand Sonkar, who had earlier assured us that if Stephen’s didn’t work out, we would be able to go to our second or third preference,” she said. “But now, he refuses to answer our calls.”

Sinha, who hails from Odisha, said she had been in touch with other families facing the same predicament. “Not everyone can afford a lawyer. However, if there’s no positive response by tomorrow, we will take the college to court. It's not our kids' fault that there’s tension between the college and the university,” she said.

For some students, the uncertainty has proven too much. Abhinav, an orphan-category applicant from Haryana, expressed his deep disappointment at the situation. “I’m thinking of just taking a drop this year. We were told we could choose our second preference if St Stephen’s didn’t work out, but now the administration isn’t even responding,” he said. “I scored 720, but now my future seems dark.”

Similarly, Villayat Aly, an orphan quota student from Ladakh, has decided to give up on his academic aspirations. Talking to The Tribune, he said, “I’m already 21, and I worked hard for this admission. But what’s the use? The lawyer’s fees are around Rs 50,000 per hearing, which is almost the entire annual college fee. I just can’t afford it.”