Thousands of Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) aspirants protesting for the third straight day outside the UPPSC office in Prayagraj are struggling to secure necessities, such as food and water reports PTI. Students have been agitating the UPPSC proposal to conduct the review officer or assistant review officer (RO/ARO) and UP provincial civil service (PCS) exams in two shifts. They insist that the multi-shift exams risk unfair normalisation, where scores are adjusted based on variations in test difficulty across shifts. The UPPSC has defended its decision, citing logistical constraints, stating that managing a single shift for 11 lakh aspirants would require significant resources, which are not currently available. According to a source within the UPPSC, the two-shift approach aligns with a June government order mandating multiple shifts for exams with over five lakh registered candidates.

Initially, the protest led to clashes with the police after students gathered at gates 2 and 3 of the UPPSC office premises. Policemen reportedly resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the crowd. Despite the hardships, the exam aspirants have held their ground, spending two nights at the site. Many women aspirants who have joined the protest have, so far, not even informed their families about their participation. The police, claiming to “maintain order”, have assigned a demarcated area near the Civil Lines police station for students to protest peacefully. With posters that read “Na batenge na hatenge (We will not be divided nor back down)”, students are echoing Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s slogan, “Batenge toh katenge (Divided we fall)” to reflect their strong sense of solidarity.

The students’ demands have started resonating beyond Prayagraj. In support, UPSC aspirants in Delhi organised a rally Tuesday evening, and similar protests will likely happen in Patna and Jaipur. Many protesters in Prayagraj have travelled from states such as Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Delhi. They shared buses and are now sharing rooms to participate in the movement.

More than 11 lakh candidates will appear for the UPPSC RO/ARO exam, initially scheduled for January 29 and February 2 but postponed following a paper leak. According to present schedules, the Provincial Civil Services (PCS) Preliminary Examination will be conducted over two days, on December 7 and 8, while the Review Officer (RO) and Assistant Review Officer (ARO) Preliminary Examination 2023 will be held in three shifts on December 22 and 23. The UPPSC’s recent notification rescheduled the exam for December and introduced the controversial two-shift format, sparking protests among students who feel the structure disadvantages them.

The protests have drawn attention from heavyweight political leaders, with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi even voicing their support for the protesting students. Meanwhile, Congress has sharply criticised the BJP govt in Uttar Pradesh over ‘police action’ against protesting UPPSC students.  Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said it is unfortunate that ‘lathi charge’ was done on students protesting for their demands in Prayagraj.

Condemning the police “highhandedness”, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav had also termed the BJP government in the state “anti-youth” and “anti-student”.

The Congress on Tuesday, November 12 alleged that police in Prayagraj lathi-charged students raising their voice against the “arbitrariness” of the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission and claimed that earlier also attempts have been made to suppress the voice of the youth demanding jobs.

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said it is unfortunate that “lathi charge” was done on students protesting for their demands in Prayagraj.

The students raising their voice against the “arbitrariness” of the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) should be heard carefully, he said in a post in Hindi on X. “This is not the first time that BJP is trying to suppress the voice of youth in this way. Earlier also, attempts have been made to suppress their voice for demanding jobs or protesting against recruitment scams and paper leaks,” Ramesh claimed. Understanding these problems of the youth, the Congress party had talked about taking concrete initiatives under the Yuva Nyay Guarantee, he said.

Meanwhile in another twist to the lathi charge offensive on Monday night, Congress leader, Prabal Prabhat Sahi has warned of a dire conspiracy around the by-polls scheduled in UP on November 20. Of the nine by-elections to the state assembly, Phoolpur, Majhawan and Katehari are extremely close to Prayagraj (Allahabad) and he expressed fears that the ‘Rampur model’ where the police will be ‘mis’ used to prevent voters from casting their vote (as happened in 2022 in UP) may repeat. This video released by Congress leader Prabal Pratap Sahi late on November 11, Monday may be seen here

Is the lathi charge of thousands of students at Prayagraj a preparation for a repeat of the Rampur model where voters will be prevented from exercising their vote of November 20?

Related:

Police crackdown on student protesters in Delhi, Kolkata

Student Protest against the RSS invites Police Brutality

A month after student protests, BHU yet to do much to ensure women safety

The post Prayagraj: 11 protesting students arrested, after hundreds lathi-charged on the eve of UP by-polls appeared first on SabrangIndia.

But despite claiming the 751st position, he has become a role model for students studying in madrasas (seminary) across India. By clearing the UPSC exam, Shahid Raza has also dispelled the stereotype surrounding madrasas.

But the journey was far from easy. Shahid, who belongs to Gaya district in Bihar, comes from a lower-middle class family and his success came after two failed attempts, mainly because he was encouraged by his mother, who did not allow him to give up or be disappointed.
 

 

Shahid’s father, an auto electrician, retired in 2009 while his mother is a homemaker. Shahid is the seventh among nine siblings. His eldest brother moved to Saudi Arabia after Class 12 and worked there as a crane operator. He has been the pillar of the family and his hard work helped his siblings back home in pursuing their education.

Initially, Shahid went to a Hindi-medium school in his village but had to stop because the school was closed down when he was in class 2. Then his father enrolled him in a Madarsa where he was taught in Urdu. And then again he was back in another school, thus schooling was not really regular. He appeared for his 10th as a private candidate.

After that, he enrolled in Azamgarh Madrasa Ashrafia, an Islamic seminary in Mubarakpur, Uttar Pradesh for a 3-year course in Alim. At the madrasa, he learnt to read and understand the Holy Quran and also memorise the Quran.

He is not the only Alim in his house, two of his sisters have also done the Alim course.

When Shahid was 17 years old and enrolled at the madrasa, he used to often ponder about his future course. He did not know what he wanted to do in life. It was only after his elder brothers suggestion about writing the UPSC exams that he realised that he had made up his mind to be the District Magistrate, also known as a collector in their village.

He told TwoCircles.net, recalling his earlier days in their village in Bihar, “Those days we were worried about robberies after dark and no one went out of their homes after dark out of fear. There was not much law and order, the transportation was not good either. And everyone used to say the DM should fix this up, fix that. So I was like ‘The DM takes care of all these things, he has the power to set right all the irregularities and solve people’s problems. So why can’t I become a DM when I grow up?’”

“ It was only when my brothers suggested UPSC exams and that passing these exams makes one a DM, I realised that this is what I had really wanted but did not know how. So my next goal was to find out more about UPSC exams. How to prepare, what options to study etc,” he added.

So, after he became an Alim, Shahid enrolled in the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi where he did his B.A in Arabic. It was here that he learnt all the details about UPSC exams and how to go about the same.

Talking about his days in Jawaharlal Nehru University, Shahid told TwoCircles.net, “ Getting admission in JNU has been a life-changing moment for me. I and my family both were very happy when I got a seat in JNU. There, I learnt a lot of things which I could not have learned anywhere else. I can say JNU has changed me in a very positive manner. My horizons have broadened. Perspectives have widened, I have become inclusive, gained in-depth knowledge of ground realities, felt empowered, gained openness and learnt about dealing with people. It has moulded me completely. I made more friends here.”
 

with Kanhiya kumar and others at JNU
 

Among his many friends, one was Najeeb Ahmed, who has been missing from 2016. Shahid Raza is one among the many supporters of Fatima Nafees, Najeeb’s mother in her search for her missing son. He says he will always stand by the truth and striving for justice will be one of his missions.

After his graduation, Shahid Raza pursued his post-graduation in the same subject -Arabic. And at present, he is doing his M Phil in West Asian Studies.
 

with Najeeb’s mother
 

Shahid has also found time to help students from marginalised communities. He and a couple of his friends began an NGO called ‘ Rahmat -e-Alam’ through which they provide coaching to help students who want to appear for entrance exams to pursue their graduation. The coaching here is free of cost.

“We started Rahmat -e-Alam in 2011. We don’t charge anything from the students. My friends and I pool in money for the study materials and teaching materials. And I am proud to say that we have always had 100% success for every batch.” Shahid shared with happiness to TwoCircles.net.

Once he receives his posting, he says his main focus would be on infrastructure development and education. “I will ensure that people whose rights have been violated, will get their rights and will get justice. Education is a tool for development so I would emphasis on education.” Said Shahid Raza.

About minorities, he says, “ The constitution of India is very good and has given strong rights to the Minorities. I will try that the rights guaranteed by the constitution of India to Muslims will be accessible to Muslims.”

“If given a choice I would prefer to be posted in my state Bihar as I know the strengths and weaknesses of my place,” he shared.
 

 

To other students of madrasas, his message is, “Have faith in yourself, be confident, stay motivated and don’t lose track of your goal. Be consistent and work hard. Nothing is impossible if you desire something and work hard to achieve that. Nothing is beyond our capacity.”

He said he spent many hours studying at the library, spending nearly 12 hours in preparation for the UPSC exams.

But before joining the coaching academy he had to brush up his skills in other subjects like English, Mathematics and other subjects to be at par with other students. Initially, it was tough but he managed.

While studying for long hours, he also balanced his personal life pursuing his hobbies which is writing Ghazals and swimming. He also enjoys travelling as he likes being close to nature.  He is thankful to his friends and family for their support and encouragement. And is looking forward to joining the Indian Administrative Services and serve the nation.
 

Courtesy: Two Circles

The post From studying in a madrasa to clearing the UPSC exams: The inspiring story of Shahid Raza Khan appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The issue of the low presence of Muslims, Dalits and Adivasis in India's civil services has been a matter of concern for all those concerned with deepening of democratic institutions and a polict of inclusion and diversity
Apart from Bilal who tops, nine Muslims have made it to the top 100 ranks. Those in top 50 include: Muzammil Khan (22), Sheikh Tanveer Asif (25), Hamna Mariyam (28), Zaffar Iqbal (39) and Rizwanbasha Shaikh (48). Seventeen Muslims feature in the Top 500.

The selected UPSC candidates are recommended for various government posts which include Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and several other allied services.

Although Muslims comprise 13.4% of total population, they are dismally represented in the top government services, often due to lack of education and unavailability of resources. They account for about 2% in the civil services. The 2005 Sachar Commission report showcased the low presence of Muslims in India's formal sector, raising the issue of the existence of institutionalised prejudice, six decades after indepedence.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) declared the final result of the 2016 civil services examinations on Wednesday evening. Like previous years, this year too a woman, Nandani KR, has topped the exam. Others in the top five are Anmol Sher Singh,  Gopala Krishna, Sauyma Pandey and Abhilash Mishra.

Successful Muslim Candidates for UPSC Result-16
 

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