The MBBS admissions controversy in Meerut has left Uttar Pradesh shocked. Dozens of medical aspirants allegedly converted to Buddhism for minority quotas on MBBS seats. The conversion was in breach of the Unlawful Conversions of Religion Act, 2021 (UPPUCRA-2021). About 20 students from Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Maharashtra had submitted fake religious conversion certificates.
Following an investigation, all minority certificates were cancelled. Director of Minority Welfare, J Reebha, confirmed the case. Admissions were withdrawn in seven cases, and seven others voluntarily withdrew. Six more candidates have been kept under the scanner, from outside Uttar Pradesh. The ranks of the students were extremely low. For example, one candidate had a rank of 12 lakh, or 1.2 million.
MBBS admissions controversy raises suspicions as minority quotas on MBBS seats rise
That raised yet more suspicion. The row over MBBS admissions in Meerut intensified after a sudden spurt in minority applicants triggered a verification process. Director General of Medical Education, Kinjal Singh led a 48-hour document check that revealed the students attained minority status just weeks before applying for admission. Notably, law requires a 60-day advance declaration for conversions, which the students took for granted.
The authority launched a full-scale investigation through the Department of Minority Welfare and Home Department. In the case of minority medical colleges, 50 per cent of seats are reserved for minority candidates. It means lower-ranked candidates get admission. Joint Director of Minority Welfare, Raghvendra Pratap Singh said that a bogus certificate will be dealt with in the strictest of terms.
The responsibility is two-way for the candidates concerned and the officials issuing that certificate. The Directorate of Medical Education has apprised the counselling committee that is now checking those certificates in other categories either.
Hence, this MBBS admissions controversy in Meerut has raised some pertinent questions as to how minority quotas might be abused. Consequently, it is being examined at a greater level throughout the region about medical admissions.
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