Jabalpur High Court gave relief to thousands of Sanskrit Board students, permission to fill 10th-12th class forms

Jabalpur High Court has given great relief to thousands of students of Sanskrit Board schools. Justice S.N. Bhatt’s court, while hearing on Tuesday, provided interim relief to 11 schools related to Maharishi Patanjali Sanskrit Sansthan, Bhopal. The court has given a clear order that students who have passed their class 9th and 11th from MP Board or CBSE should be allowed to fill the forms for class 10th and 12th. This decision has been taken keeping in mind the future of the students and it will affect thousands of students.

The High Court has also immediately stayed the order of the new policy dated June 27, 2024, in which students passed from other boards were not allowed to take admission in Sanskrit Board schools. Due to the implementation of this policy, the future of thousands of students was hanging in the balance. He was very worried about continuing his further studies as he feared that he would not get a chance to take the examination. This order of the court has brought great relief to them, especially at a time when the last date for filling the forms for board examinations is approaching.

What is the whole matter?

Actually, there was an old rule of Maharishi Patanjali Sanskrit Sansthan (also known as Sanskrit Board). Under this, the institute used to give the flexibility to its respective schools to admit such students who have passed their previous class, i.e. ninth or eleventh, from the Board of Secondary Education, Bhopal (MP Board) or Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). This was a general and student welfare process whereby students were able to continue their further education under the Sanskrit Board even after completing their studies from different boards. Thousands of students benefited from this provision every year and they did not face any interruption in their studies. This system had been in place for many years and was acceptable among students and parents.

However, the institute suddenly and without any concrete reason or prior notice changed this old policy. The new policy issued on 27 June 2024 ended this facility in one fell swoop. This change posed a serious crisis to the students who were already studying or planning to take admission in the respective schools of Sanskrit Board. This unilateral decision was an unexpected blow to thousands of students. Students who had passed their 9th or 11th from MP Board or CBSE and wanted to continue their 10th or 12th studies from Sanskrit Board were suddenly finding themselves without any option. Due to the ban on their admission and filling of examination forms, they were in danger of losing one year.

Following the crisis arising out of this unexpected policy change, 11 schools affiliated to Maharishi Patanjali Sanskrit Sansthan were forced to approach the Jabalpur High Court for relief. Senior advocates advocated effectively on behalf of these schools. He told the court how this policy amendment has put the future of thousands of students at risk and they are being deprived of filling the examination forms. He argued that when students are already studying under the rules of the institute, it is not fair to suddenly stop them on the basis of coming from another board. This was a serious constitutional and educational issue that required immediate judicial intervention so that the rights of the students could be protected.

Relief to thousands of students from the interim order of the High Court

This interim order of the High Court has come as a big relief to thousands of students who were studying class 10th and 12th in Sanskrit Board schools after passing their previous class from MP Board or CBSE. The Court has made it clear in its opinion that it is extremely necessary to postpone the impugned order dated 27 June 2024 so that the interests of the students can be protected and their academic session can be saved from getting ruined. The Court was of the view that students cannot be punished for no fault of theirs, especially when they were already studying under the rules of the institution.

Justice Bhatt’s court has also said in its order that students studying in schools should be allowed to fill the examination forms within four days from Wednesday. This deadline is of utmost importance for the students so that they can continue their studies without any delay and prepare for the upcoming board exams. After this, verification of all the documents required will be done by the institution within the next four days. This process will ensure that only eligible students are able to appear in the examination and any kind of irregularity is prevented.

After successful completion of document verification, students have to deposit their examination fee within the next four days. This entire process will be completed within a stipulated time frame and quickly so that it does not affect the exam preparations. The High Court has given priority to the future of the students in this entire matter and has provided a speedy and just solution. With this order, there is a wave of happiness among thousands of students and their parents studying in the schools affiliated to the Sanskrit Board. They will now be able to focus on their studies without any worries and continue preparing for their board exams.