New Delhi:
Violent protests, candle marches, even hunger strikes - civil services aspirants in Delhi have done it all, hoping the government will bow down to their demands.
"Since the protests started, no one in Mukherjee Nagar has been studying because the government has been giving repeated assurances; but we're still anxious and don't know what to expect," said Jatin who has been preparing for the exam since October 2010.
On July 24, he was one of almost 600 protesters who clashed with the police in North Delhi's Mukherjee Nagar, where large number of UPSC aspirants live. This was the day the UPSC issued admit cards to students without conceding to their demands. Vehicles were torched, stones were pelted and the police struggled to bring the situation under control. The students had only one demand.
"The CSAT must be scrapped. It is discriminatory. It gives undue advantage to students from English medium schools and those with technical backgrounds," said Jatin.
However, there are other students who believe that students in favour of scrapping the CSAT have unreasonable demands.
"It's a job requirement, not an exam requirement. If you get slotted for the IFS, on a global platform you have to know English. It is not a language testing exam, it is an aptitude testing exam and no where in the world can students dictate the terms of an exam. If the competent authority feels a certain difficulty level must be met, it just must," said Ankit Gupta, another student busy preparing for exams.
The three-member Arvind Varma committee submitted its recommendations on the CSAT to the government on July 31. Sources say the panel is not keen on postponing the exams or changing its pattern. The exams are likely to be held on August 24 as scheduled. However, sources have also told NDTV that some BJP leaders have spoken to the Minister of Personnel and training in the Prime Minister's Office, Jitendra Singh requesting him to address the interest of agitating students.