SOCIAL JURIST
A CIVIL RIGHTS GROUP
To
The Secretary,
Ministry of Defence,
Government of India,
South Block,
New Delhi-110001
20.02.2012
Sub: GENDER DISCRIMINATION IN ADMISSION IN CLASS VIII IN RASHTRIYA INDIAN MILITARY COLLEGE
Dear Sir,
We have come across your press release dated 20 January 2012 for next Rashtriya Indian Military College admission test in June 2012 for admission in Class VIII. It has been stated in the press release that the Rashtriya Indian Military College is an Inter-services Institution and a Category ‘A’ establishment of the Ministry of Defence. The College was established in 1922 with the primary aim of preparing the boys for entry into Defence Services and to provide quality all round education to young boys.
According to the prescribed admission procedure, applications have been invited from boys for admission to the Rashtriya Military College (RIMC), Dehradun (UK) for Jan 2013 Term which will be conducted at selected centres on 01 (Fri) and 02 (Sat) June 2012. In regard to entry age, it is stated that candidates appearing for the above test should not be less than 11 ½ years in age but should not have attained the age of 13 years as on 01 Jan 2013, i.e., they should have been born not earlier than 02 Jan 2000 and not later than 01 Jul 2001. In regard to educational qualifications, it is stated that candidates should either be studying in Class VII or passed Class VII from any recognized school at the time of admission to RIMC, i.e. on 01 Jan 2013.
It is submitted that there is large number of girl students who are interested in admission in RIMC, Dehradun and also possess all the requisite educational and other qualifications. However, they cannot even apply as the college is meant exclusively for the boys, thereby leaving the girls ineligible. There is no other similar college meant for the girls.
It is submitted that your Admission Policy which deny equality to the girls in the matter of admission in Class VIII in your RIMC College, Dehradun in Jan 2013 Term is illegal, unconstitutional, arbitrary, discriminatory, violative of Articles 14, 15, 21, 21-A and 38 of the Constitution of India read with the provisions of Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009. The said admission policy is based on gender discrimination without any valid reason.
You are, therefore, requested to immediately modify your Admission Policy so to enable girl students to apply for admission in Class VIII in RIMC College, Dehradun in Jan 2013 Term.
With regards,
Ashok Agarwal, Advocate
Advisor, Social Jurist
M-09811101923
4 comments:
Dear sir,
I am very glad to know that this issue was raised before the government. It is saddening to see institutions of excellence still following the colonial structure of discrimination.
I am interested to know whether there was any response by the govt. Are you planning to move to courts over the issue? And do you see any success in near future for girls to be admitted (even if its not coed) to RIMC?
Girls form half of the country's population and backbone of society and family. They have proved themselves at all levels and creating institutional hurdles would only strengthen their resolve to break the colonial mindset.
Kudos to your work! Keep it up!
Sir,
When I came to know that RIMC is only meant for the boys , then i really felt very disgusted, here we are talking about "Beti Banchao, Beti Padao" and in defence we are discriminating gender wise. Sir, my request to you that please take up this matter to the Govt. of India and if needed then to Supreme Court also, being a father of girl child, I also want to see my daughter serving this country with the excellence.
It's really a good point to raise. Was there any progress? A petition can be started through www.change.org
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