The party cites an alarming decline in scholarship access: over 32 lakh students applied for pre-matric scholarships in 2020-21, but this fell to 12.34 lakh in 2022-23 — a drop of 65%
NEW DELHI – The main opposition party, Congress, has expressed serious concern over the slashing of the budget allocated for the education of Dalit, OBC, Tribal, and minority students. The party also highlighted the poor condition of the hostels meant for these students.
Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters here on Wednesday, AICC’s SC Department Chairman Rajendra Pal Gautam, All India Adivasi Congress Chairman Dr Vikrant Bhuria, and CWC member and NSUI in-charge Dr Kanhaiya Kumar, referred to Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which flagged the plight of underprivileged students who are being deprived of access to higher education.
Gautam specifically pointed out the persistent issues faced by these students in receiving scholarships. He stated that scholarships are often delayed or affected by technical glitches, causing significant hardship. The number of students receiving scholarships is steadily decreasing, he mentioned, citing data, and said that many are forced to take loans, burdening themselves with debt. In some tragic cases, students have even been driven to suicide, he added. He cited official data to show the alarming decline in scholarship access: over 32 lakh students applied for pre-matric scholarships in 2020-21, but this fell to 12.34 lakh in 2022-23 — a drop of 65%. Similarly, for post-matric scholarships, applications dropped from 40.94 lakh to 5.38 lakh in the same period — a nearly 80% decrease.
Dr Vikrant Bhuria accused the government of depriving tribal, Dalit, backward class, and minority students of their right to education. He also raised concerns about the dilapidated condition of hostels for underprivileged students — an issue highlighted by Rahul Gandhi in his letter to the prime minister.
Dr Bhuria emphasised that for many poor students, hostels are their only means of continuing education. He also flagged issues such as the shortage of wardens, lack of security, and absence of proper audits in hostels. He added that the denial of scholarships is forcing many students to drop out. He condemned the complete discontinuation of the National Fellowship for SC/ST students and criticised what he described as “institutional discrimination.”
Dr Kanhaiya Kumar criticised the government for reducing the education budget and for the continued diversion of funds earmarked for SC-ST students, resulting in their systematic exclusion from education. He said one of the main reasons for the drop in scholarship applications is the delay in disbursement and a complex application process that feels like a punishment for needy students.
Dr Kumar also announced that under the Constitution Leadership Programme, a 100-day national audit of all hostels for Dalit, Adivasi, OBC, Extremely Backward Class, and minority students will be conducted. He appealed to citizens across the country to join this campaign.
