In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has drawn attention to the “deplorable” conditions in residential hostels for students belonging to Dalit, Scheduled Tribes (ST), Economically Backward Classes (EBC), Other Backward Classes (OBC) and minority communities. He also raised concerns about delays in post-matric scholarships for these students from marginalized communities.
In his letter, Gandhi emphasized the need for immediate resolution of these two issues, stating that they significantly impact education opportunities for the approximately 90% of students who come from marginalized sections of society. The concerns raised by Gandhi underscore a persistent issue in India’s educational landscape, where students from disadvantaged backgrounds often face challenges accessing quality education and resources.
In recent years, there have been several reports highlighting poor living conditions in hostels for students from marginalized communities. These issues include lack of proper sanitation facilities, inadequate food supplies, overcrowding, and insufficient safety measures. The delay in post-matric scholarships further compounds these challenges, as it prevents many students from affording their education.
As the Opposition leader, Gandhi’s letter serves as a call to action for the government to address these critical issues and ensure that all students have equal opportunities to access quality education, regardless of their background or socio-economic status. The response to this letter will be closely watched as it reflects the government’s commitment to addressing educational inequality in India.
