Rahul Gandhi Writes to PM, Flags Dismal State of Hostels for Students From Marginalised Communities

New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, flagging the “deplorable” conditions in residential hostels for Dalit, Scheduled Tribes (STs), Extremely Backward Classes (EBC), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and minority students.

In his letter, Gandhi also highlighted the delay in providing post-Matriculation scholarships for students from marginalised communities and urged the Prime Minister to resolve these two critical issues.

He added that these problems hampered opportunities for 90 per cent students from marginalised communities, reported The Hindu.

“Firstly, the conditions in residential hostels for students from Dalit, ST, EBC, OBC and minority communities are deplorable. During a recent visit to Ambedkar Hostel in Darbhanga, Bihar, students complained about single rooms which 6-7 students were forced to share, unhygienic toilets, unsafe drinking water, lack of mess facilities, and no access to libraries or the internet,” said Gandhi said in his letter dated June 10.

“Secondly, post-matric scholarships for students from marginalised communities are plagued by delays and failures,” said Gandhi.

The Leader of Opposition cited the example of Bihar, and claimed that the scholarship portal had been non-functional for three years, and no student had received a scholarship in 2021-22.

“Even thereafter, the number of Dalit students receiving scholarships fell by nearly half, from 1.36 lakh in FY23 to 0.69 lakh in FY24. Students further complain that the scholarship amounts are insultingly low,” Gandhi wrote in the letter.

Gandhi added that these “failures” were widespread across India and called for an audit of every hostel for students from Dalit, ST, EBC, OBC and minority communities to ensure good infrastructure, sanitation, and food and academic facilities, and the allocation of adequate funds to address deficiencies.

He also called for the timely disbursement of scholarships, increase in scholarship amount and improved execution of post-matric scholarships.

“I am sure you agree that India cannot progress unless youth from marginalised communities progress. I look forward to your positive response,” said Gandhi.

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