The caste-based hostels in Rajasthan are no longer going to discriminate against students of different communities as the state government has brought the much-needed change in the system. As per the latest reports, the doors of 19 such hostels have now been opened for students of all castes.
The new rule states that 60% of the seats at these SJE (Social Justice and Empowerment) hostels will now be reserved for students of a particular caste while the remaining 40% will be open for all castes. As of now, the department of social justice and empowerment operates 750 hostels that are categorized on the basis of different communities namely SC, ST, OBC, SBC, and General.
Source: Times of India
As per the reports, the change has been brought gradually over the years and as of now, the provision has been implemented in 19 hostels. The aim is to extend the plan to all 750 SJE hostels for bridging the gap between students and help them nurture a harmonious bond.
According to the SJE Department Director Samit Sharma, since these hostels are restricted to admit students of a particular caste, many seats were left vacant due to a lesser number of students than the available seats.
Having a caste-based system for accommodating hostel students not just poses a difficulty in filling all the available seats but also creates differences among students. It also fuels discrimination against students of certain communities. Students in school, colleges, and universities must be kept away from all such social evil as they are the future of the nation. Such a move by the state government is much appreciated and also needed.
